A five-game road winning streak hangs in the balance for the Houston Rockets (20-9), who will be 5-point favorites when they square off with the Sacramento Kings (12-17) at Golden 1 Center. The game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 228 points and it can be seen on NBC Sports – California at 10 p.m. ET on Monday, December 23, 2019.
Houston Rockets at Sacramento Kings Betting Odds
The Rockets come in on a high note after covering the 9-point spread against the Phoenix Suns in their last contest, 139-125. The Kings, meanwhile, were beaten by the Memphis Grizzlies, 119-115, and were not able to cover as 2-point underdogs. Both games finished over their projected point totals. The Houston game finished 26 points over the projected point total of 238, while the Sacramento game went 12.5 points over the projected point total of 221.5.
Houston made 19 of their 41 three pointers (46.3 percent), while Phoenix was 8-28 (28.6 percent). Sacramento, meanwhile, had an offensive rebounding percentage of 33.3 (above their season average of 22.8). Sacramento rallied around Richaun Holmes, who contributed 18 points and 12 rebounds. James Harden had a good game for Houston, finishing with 47 points, seven assists and six rebounds.
In their first matchup this year, Buddy Hield led the Kings to a 119-118 victory. He produced 26 points. The two teams combined to put up 237 points, which was over the projected point total of 224, and Sacramento covered as a 12-point underdog. The Kings’ 8.4 turnover percentage was their largest advantage over the Rockets, who had a rate of 16.8.
Of the Rockets’ 29 games, 16 have gone under the projected point total. Houston holds records of 20-9 straight up (SU) and 15-14 against the spread (ATS).
Kings games also tend to finish under the O/U total (58.6 percent). Further, Sacramento is 12-17 SU and 16-13 ATS.
It will be a matchup of conflicting styles as the fast-paced Rockets will look to push the more grind-it-out Kings. The Rockets rank first in possessions per game while the Kings are 29th.
Houston Rockets at Sacramento Kings Odds Pick
Free Pick: SU Winner – Rockets, ATS Winner – Kings, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- The Kings rank fifth in second chance points allowed per game (11.8) while the Rockets rank 11th (12.8).
- Sacramento ranks first in fast break points allowed per game (10.5) while Houston ranks 29th (16.0).
- The Kings rank ninth in points off turnovers allowed per game (16.4) while the Rockets rank 25th (19.0).
- Houston ranks fifth in steals per game (8.4) while Sacramento ranks 19th in steals allowed per game (8.1).
- Sacramento ranks 19th in assists allowed per game (24.3) while Houston ranks 27th (26.0).
- The Rockets rank fifth in rebounds per game (47.5) while the Kings rank 29th (41.6).
- The Rockets rank 17th in points in the paint per game (46.8) while the Kings rank 29th (42.4).
- Houston ranks 12th in blocks per game (5.1) while Sacramento ranks 13th in blocks allowed per game (4.8).
- Sacramento ranks 10th in three pointers allowed per game (32.8) while Houston ranks 26th (36.4).
- When holding opponents under 100 points, Houston is 2-0 and Sacramento is 6-2.
- The Rockets are 20-8 when they reach 100 points, while the Kings are 11-11.
- Sacramento is 5-6 ATS at home, while Houston is 9-6 ATS on the road.
- In 15 road games, the Rockets have 9 unders and 6 overs.
- The Kings have 7 unders and 4 overs in 11 home games.
Bettings Trends:
- In their last five games, Houston and Sacramento have both had 3 overs and 2 unders.
- The Rockets are 3-2 ATS over their last five games, while the Kings are 1-4.
- During their last five games, the Rockets have scored an average of 121.4 points per game (1.0 above their season average) and allowed an average of 114.2 points per game (0.6 below their season average).
- The Kings’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 1.4, down from 2.8 for the season.
