The Houston Rockets have been hanging around in Sacramento after suffering a 126-114 loss to the Kings Friday night. Tonight, they'll get the chance to get even when the two Western Conference teams go head-to-head once again.
The Kings' Friday night victory was led by De'Aaron Fox (27/8/6) and Marvin Bagley (26/13). Sacramento trailed by nine points entering the second quarter but won the final three frames 95-74, ultimately pulling away in the second half to secure the 12-point victory.
Will the Kings get a similar result tonight or do the Rockets have what it takes to get revenge? Find out in our free NBA picks and predictions for Rockets vs. Kings.
Rockets vs Kings odds
Odds via the Covers Line, an average comprised of odds from multiple sportsbooks.
At the time of writing, the Kings are 5.5-point favorites in this contest with the sky-high total sitting at 240, up from the opening total of 239.
When these two teams matchup Friday night, Sacramento closed as 5.5-point favorites with a total of 238.5.
Use the live odds widget above to track any future line movements right until tip-off and be sure to check out the full NBA odds before betting to ensure you get the best number.
Rockets vs Kings predictions
Predictions made on 01/16/2022 at 12:00 p.m. ET.
Click on each prediction to jump to the full analysis.
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Rockets vs Kings game info
• Location: Golden 1 Center, Sacramento, CA
• Date: Sunday, January 16, 2022
• Tip-off: 6:00 p.m. ET
• TV: NBCSC, AATTSN-SW
Rockets vs Kings betting preview
Injuries
Rockets: John Wall G (Out).
Kings: Richaun Holmes F (Questionable), Damian Jones C (Questionable), Tristan Thompson F (Out).
Find our latest NBA injury reports.
Betting trend to know
The Rockets are 2-14 ATS in their last 16 games as underdogs. The Kings are 4-1 ATS in their last five home games. Find more NBA betting trends for Rockets vs. Kings.
Rockets vs Kings picks and predictions
Our predictions are compiled from the analysis of the spread and total and are indications of where we are leaning for this game.
Our best bet is the play that we like the most for this game, which we would actually put some of our bankroll behind.
Spread analysis
What better way to handicap this matchup than to analyze how it played out two nights ago. In a game where the Kings were similarly favored by 5.5 points, Sacramento outscored the Rockets 95-74 in the final three quarters to win by 12 at home.
De'Aaron Fox filled the stat sheet with 27 points, 8 assists, and 6 rebounds, but the notable performance came from Marvin Bagley III who put up 26/13 on 12-20 shooting. The game prior, he had 16/9 on 7-12 shooting in a win against the Lakers. He played 30+ minutes in both of those games.
Against the Rockets, Sacramento shot 50% from the floor, 35% from three, won the turnover and rebounding battles, and had eight more assists. Their bench also outscored the Rockets' bench 40-28, including a 19-point showing from Buddy Hield.
Behind Bagley and a slashing Fox, the Kings should come close to or surpass the 60 points they scored in the paint Friday night. Houston ranks second-last in this area.
Whatever you may think about the Kings, or betting them as favorites in any game, it's really the only play to make in this spot.
The Rockets, owners of the Western Conference's worst record, are 2-8 ATS in their last 10 overall, 2-14 ATS in their last 16 as underdogs, and have lost their last five games by an average of 14 points. On the road, the Rockets are 5-19 SU with a -10.4 net rating. On the flip side, the Kings are 4-1 ATS in their last five home games.
Sacramento is far from a good team, but you don't need to be one to beat the Houston Rockets in 2022. Back the Kings to win and cover.
Prediction: Kings -5.5 (-110)
Over/Under analysis
It's not shocking to see a total this high with two teams that rank in the Bottom 5 in defensive rating. On Friday, the closing total was 238.5. Harrison Barnes sent the game Over the total when he hit two free throws with 20 seconds left and the game ended with 240 points.
At the time of writing, the total for tonight's contest sits at 240, and I'll be backing the Under.
The Under is 15-11 in the Kings' 26 home games this season, and though the Rockets are horrible defensively, we shouldn't expect the Kings — who rank 19th in offensive rating — to shoot 50% from the floor again tonight.
While both teams are among the worst in the NBA defensively, these teams just played each other and will know what to expect from each other's offense.
If the number closes at 240, it would be the highest of both Sacramento and Houston's seasons. In this spot, I think it's more likely this game finishes between 225-235 than climbing Over the total and I'm comfortable rolling the dice.
Prediction: Under 240 (-110)
Best bet
While it's hard to trust either of those teams on either end of the total, I have much more confidence in the Kings getting it done against the spread.
Sacramento should have no problems replicating their performance from Friday night and should leave the arena tonight with their third straight win and cover.
Pick: Kings -5.5 (-110)
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