The Houston Rockets aimed for redemption against the Sacramento Kings on Thursday. After falling short in December’s matchup (120-111 loss), they returned determined for a stronger showing.
The game started with a defensive grind. Both teams struggled offensively for the first nine minutes. Then, the pace shifted. Jalen Green led Houston early with 10 points, and Jeff Green, surprisingly in the starting lineup, chipped in with five.
For the Kings, Keegan Murray made an early impact. He scored eight points, grabbed two rebounds, and dished an assist. Keon Ellis came off the bench hot, scoring six points. Sacramento held a narrow 26-25 lead after one quarter.
Second Quarter Surge
Sacramento caught fire in the second quarter. Domantas Sabonis, DeMar DeRozan, and De’Aaron Fox found their rhythm. Malik Monk added scoring punch, pushing the Kings to a 61-52 halftime lead.
Houston’s offense cooled off. Jalen Green went scoreless in the period. Luckily, Alperen Sengun kept them afloat with a strong all-around performance. Cam Whitmore also made his presence felt with seven points, four assists, and two rebounds.
Key Player Stats
Houston Rockets:
- Jeff Green: 7 points, 2 rebounds
- Amen Thompson: 6 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists
- Dillon Brooks: 4 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist
- Alperen Sengun: 13 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists
- Jalen Green: 10 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist
- Cam Whitmore: 7 points, 2 rebounds, 4 assists
Sacramento Kings:
- Domantas Sabonis: 14 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists
- DeMar DeRozan: 11 points, 1 assist
- Keegan Murray: 8 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist
- De’Aaron Fox: 7 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists
- Malik Monk: 10 points, 3 rebounds, 7 assists
What Made the Difference?
The Kings’ depth. Simple as that. Their bench stepped up. Their stars executed when it mattered. Meanwhile, Houston struggled with consistency. Green’s hot start faded, and Sengun couldn’t carry the load alone.
Key Takeaways:
- Sacramento capitalized on second-quarter momentum.
- Houston started strong but lacked sustained offensive balance.
- Defensive intensity was high, but the Kings’ scoring depth tipped the scales.
The Rockets need a full-team effort to flip the script in their next clash with the Kings.
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