The Houston Rockets (10-31) battle the Sacramento Kings (22-18) Friday. Tip from Golden 1 Center is set for 10 p.m. ET. Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Rockets vs. Kings odds, and make our expert NBA picks and predictions.
The Rockets lost to the Sacramento Kings 135-115 Wednesday, failing to cover as a 9-point road underdog. Houston is just 18-22-1 against the spread (ATS) on the season. It is 4-17 straight up on the road as well. The Rockets are just 1-7 ATS over their last 8 games. They rank dead last in the NBA in field goal percentage (44.3%).
The Kings’ last game was their win over Houston Wednesday. They are 22-18 ATS this season. They are 13-9 straight up at home and 3-2 ATS over their last 5 games yet 3-7 ATS over their last 10. They rank No. 1 in the NBA in points per game (119.2).
Rockets at Kings odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub Lines last updated at 11:45 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Rockets +350 (bet $100 to win $350) | Kings -425 (bet $425 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Rockets +9.5 (-108) | Kings -9.5 (-112)
- Over/Under (O/U): 237.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)
Rockets at Kings key injuries
Rockets
- G Kevin Porter Jr. (foot) out
Kings
- G Kevin Huerter (non-Covid illness) questionable
For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.
Rockets at Kings picks and predictions
Prediction
Kings 125, Rockets 120
Moneyline
PASS.
The Rockets are without their second-leading scorer and just 4-17 on the road this season. Houston at (+350) is the only playable side, and even then, I would avoid the moneyline.
Against the spread
BET ROCKETS +9.5 (-108).
The Kings shot 40% from deep and 84% from the line on 31 attempts compared to Houston, which shot just 17 attempts from the line in the team’s Wednesday battle. Those numbers should even to the Kings Friday.
Sacramento is 7-8 ATS as a home favorite this season, so it hasn’t necessarily been great at home. The Rockets rank No. 1 in offensive rebounding rate yet had fewer offensive boards than the Kings Wednesday.
If the Kings’ shooting comes back to earth and Houston does what it does best ROCKETS +9.5 (-108) should be a strong play, and beating a team by double digits 2 nights in a row is easier said than done.
Over/Under
LEAN OVER 237.5 (-115).
The Kings rank 4th in pace and 4th in field goal percentage, a combination that has led to loads of scoring. They have gone Over in 3 straight games and have scored at least 130 in each of those games. Against a lacking defense, they should again be able to get out and run.
The Rockets rank No. 1 in offensive rebounding rate and No. 17 in pace, so the extra opportunities should be present, and they likely won’t slow the game down either.
Couple the styles of play, and the OVER 237.5 (-115) is the better play.
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