The Sacramento Kings (5-16) and Houston Rockets (13-5) will face off in the NBA tonight. Tipoff is set for 8:00 p.m. EST from Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. The game will broadcast live on SCHN.
The Rockets are 15.5-point favorites over the Kings on the spread (Rockets -15.5), with the over/under set at 231 total points. The Rockets are -1300 favorites to win outright on the moneyline, while the Kings are +800 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Kings vs. Rockets predictions and NBA picks for Wednesday, December 3.
My Kings vs Rockets Prediction
- Kings vs Rockets pick: Kings +15.5 (-110)
My Kings vs Rockets best bet is on Sacramento to cover the spread, with the best price currently available at bet365. However, make sure to find the best odds by checking our live NBA odds page.
Kings vs Rockets Odds
| Kings Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+15.5 -110 | 231 -110o / -110u | +800 |
| Rockets Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-15.5 -110 | 231 -110o / -110u | -1300 |
Kings vs Rockets NBA Preview
The Rockets will look to get back on track when they return home from a four-game road trip to host the Kings.
In fairness, Monday's loss was always going to be difficult for the Rockets, given they were facing the same Jazz team for the second time in a back-to-back spot.
Nonetheless, a 3-1 record on the trip is still something positive that the Rockets can use to build some momentum.
While Houston certainly won't mind a bit of home cooking as it returns to the Toyota Center, this point spread of -15.5 feels a bit excessive, even against a Kings side that's just 5-16 on the year.
Although injuries to key players like Keegan Murray, Domantas Sabonis, Dennis Schroder, and Malik Monk have impacted the Kings' start, their struggles aren't entirely a surprise given their lackluster offseason.
ESPN gave Sacramento a D+ following the dubious decisions of trading Jonas Valanciunas for Dario Saric, while opting to sign Dennis Schroder as a stopgap at the point guard position, instead of targeting a significant star to fill the void left by De'Aaron Fox's departure.
Moreover, it's never a good thing when your roster is shorthanded with a team that's already unbalanced. Murray is back with the team after missing 15 games, but Schroder and Monk are still listed as game-time decisions.
Despite entering this matchup on a three-game losing streak, there's a potential for some extra rest after last playing on Sunday night. In contrast, Houston will have just one day of rest since taking the floor on Monday.
Since we're only a quarter of the way into the season, it's too early to throw in the towel if you're the Kings — especially if they can get some of their key players back on the court.
Sacramento opened up as 11.5-point underdogs, and that number is now up to 15.5. It's one thing to lose games, but it's another to be disrespected entirely even before tip-off.
I expect some pride to set in, with the Kings doing enough to keep the scoreline within the margin.
Kings vs Rockets Prediction, Betting Analysis
When facing teams that entered the game with a winning record, the Kings are 7-10 against the spread (ATS).
If we adjust the opponent's win percentage to 0.700 or higher, Sacramento improves to 4-4 ATS.
Moreover, when facing opponents as an underdog of 10 or more points, Sacramento is 4-2 ATS.
As a result, this line move feels excessive, particularly if Sacramento can get some players back.
Since my model makes Houston closer to a 13.5-point favorite, I'll fade the market move and ride with the underdogs at +15.5.
Pick: Kings +15.5 (-110)
Spread
I like the Kings to cover the spread.
Moneyline
No play on the moneyline.
Over/Under
No play on the over/under, either.
Rockets vs Kings Betting Trends
