Houston Rockets at Sacramento Kings Picks and Prediction, Sunday, December 21st, 2025
Use Code WWWC In this Rockets at Kings prediction, the Rockets head to the coast to take on the Kings in Sacramento in a Western Conference matchup. The Rockets are currently in the 5th spot in the Western Conference standings. The Kings are in line for a major overhaul, with just six wins in their first 27 games. Read on for more in this Rockets/Kings prediction and get our top NBA predictions to increase your bankroll!
Houston Primed for Deep Playoff Run
The Houston Rockets made the leap into a playoff team last season, with one of the younger rosters in the NBA. This offseason, looking to add the missing piece, the Rockets acquired veteran forward and former league and NBA Finals MVP Kevin Durant from the Phoenix Suns. This year, the Rockets have started well and sit in the fifth spot in the Western Conference standings heading into Saturday night’s game against the Nuggets in Denver. The Rockets have lost two straight coming into that game, including a 123-118 overtime loss to the Pelicans in New Orleans on Thursday night. Durant led the way with 32 points but the Rockets blew a 16-point lead in the 4th quarter to force the overtime.
*This article was written before the completion of Saturday night’s Rockets/Nuggets game.
The Rockets will play the second night of a back-to-back against the Kings, both on the road. They come into Saturday’s game with a record of 16-8, including 8-6 on the road. The Rockets are third in the NBA in points per game this season. The team is also third in offensive efficiency. The Rockets are fifth in field goal shooting and 3rd in 3-point shooting. They are also fourth in points in the paint this season. Defensively, Houston is 3rd in points allowed per game. They are fifth in defensive efficiency. The Rockets are ninth in field goal defense and seventh in 3-point defense. They rank 9th in fewest points in the paint allowed. The Rockets are the NBA’s best rebounding team but just 25th in turnovers per game.
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Key Injuries: F Tarri Eason and F Dorian Finney-Smith are out.
Kings in Rebuilding Mode
The Sacramento Kings appear to be on the fast track to the NBA Lottery this offseason. The team has just six wins heading into Saturday night’s game against the Trail Blazers at home. The rumors have already swirled that the team may be willing to part with some veteran talent at the trade deadline as they begin a long road to respectability. The Kings come into Saturday night’s game with four straight losses, including a 134-133 overtime loss to Portland on the road this past Thursday night. The Kings were done in by two free throws by the Blazers with 1.5 seconds left in overtime. Demar DeRozan poured in 33 points for the Kings in a losing effort.
*This article was written before the completion of Saturday night’s Blazers/Kings game.
The Kings are just 3-8 at home coming into these back-to-back games in front of the home crowd. They are struggling offensively, ranked just 27th in the league in points per game. The Kings are 28th in offensive efficiency. The team is 17th in field goal shooting and 19th in 3-point shooting. They are 15th in points in the paint per game. Defensively, the Kings are 27th in points allowed per game. The team ranks 27th in defensive efficiency as well. They are last in field goal defense and 9th in 3-point defense. The Kings are 29th in the league in points in the paint allowed. The team is last in the league in rebounding and 8th in turnovers per game.
Key Injuries: F Doug McDermott is a game-time decision. F Domantas Sabonis and G Zach LaVine are out.
Rockets at KingsÂ
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Point Spread Pick for Rockets at KingsÂ
Rockets minus the points (4 units)
The Kings are already struggling this season and now run into a team that thrives where the Kings falter. The Kings are the worst rebounding team in the NBA, while the Rockets are the best. The Kings are in the bottom five in nearly every key offensive category, while the Rockets are in the top five in most. The Rockets can beat teams from the inside and out. More importantly in this matchup, they are fourth in points in the paint, facing a Kings team that ranks 29th in points allowed in the paint. Both teams will be playing the second of a back-to-back so no edge for either team there. This one should be all Rockets.
Take the Rockets minus the points.
Over/Under Pick for Rockets at KingsÂ
- Under
The first meeting between these two teams went under the number, with the Rockets holding the Kings under 100 points and winning handily. This one should be more of the same. The Kings are even more vulnerable with two of its bigger contributors, Sabonis and LaVine, out of action. The Rockets should control the tempo with their huge edge on the glass and should dominate the paint as well. Don’t be surprised if the Kings flirt with under 100 points again in this matchup.
Take the under.
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