The Sacramento Kings (26-55) and Houston Rockets (65-16) start Western Conference play at Golden 1 Center. The game can be seen on ATTSN Southwest at 10:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday, April 11, 2018.
Houston Rockets vs. Sacramento Kings ATS Prediction
The Rockets come in on a high note after topping the Los Angeles Lakers in their last contest, 105-99. Converting at the free throw line was one of Houston’s biggest advantages. They were 15-16 (93.8 percent), while the Lakers were 13-15 (86.7 percent). Houston rallied around James Harden, who finished with 21 points and 10 assists.
In the Kings’ last game, they fell to the San Antonio Spurs, 98-85. San Antonio was effective at getting to and converting from the charity stripe. The Spurs made 24 of their 29 free throws (82.8 percent), while the Kings were just 11-17 (64.7 percent). With 25 points on 10-for-20 shooting, Willie Cauley-Stein was the top scorer from either team.
Points at the line could be hard to find for Sacramento in this contest. The Kings rank 30th in the league with a free throw attempt (FTA) rate of 0.142, while Houston ranks fourth in FTA rate allowed (0.171). Furthermore, the Rockets’ top-ranked offense (offensive efficiency of 113.3) will battle against the Kings’ 28th-ranked defense (defensive efficiency of 110.0).
Houston heads into the contest with records of 65-16 straight up (SU) and 41-37-2 against the spread (ATS). Games including the Rockets have typically gone under the total (56.3 percent).
Meanwhile, Sacramento is 26-55 SU and 38-40-3 ATS. A little over half of Kings games have also finished under the total.
Cauley-Stein and De’Aaron Fox have been playing well over the last five games for Sacramento. Cauley-Stein has averaged 15.6 points, 7.6 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game. Not to be outdone, Fox has put up 12.8 points, 5.6 assists and 1.2 steals a game during that span.
The Rockets have emerged victorious in both games against the Kings this year, including a nine-point victory the last time these teams met. Houston was unable to cover as a 15-point favorite and the game finished with a total of 191 points, which was 23.5 points below the projected point total of 214.5 points. Houston did a fantastic job of making free throws (20-22; 90.9 percent). Sacramento, on the other hand, had a better offensive rebounding percentage (18.0 vs. 15.2). Harden was the game’s top overall scorer with 28 points.
Houston Rockets vs. Sacramento Kings Free Pick
Prediction: SU Winner – Rockets, ATS Winner – Rockets, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
Houston is 24-14-1 ATS on the road with 23 unders, 15 overs and 1 push.
Sacramento is 18-22 ATS at home with 20 overs and 20 unders.
Houston is 32-2 when they allow under 100 points, while Sacramento is 17-7.
The Rockets are 62-12 when they reach the century mark, while the Kings are 17-21.
Houston ranks first in three pointers attempted per game (42.3) while Sacramento ranks 28th (24.0).
The Kings rank fifth in points allowed in the paint per game (42.4) while the Rockets rank 27th (48.0).
Houston ranks fourth in rebounds allowed per game (42.0) while Sacramento ranks 19th (43.8).
The Rockets rank fifth in steals per game (8.6) while the Kings rank 16th in steals allowed per game (7.8).
Houston ranks sixth in points off turnovers per game (17.4) while Sacramento ranks 12th in points off turnovers allowed per game (15.7).
The Rockets rank 16th in fast break points per game (11.4) while the Kings rank 18th in fast break points allowed per game (12.3).
Houston ranks 23rd in assists per game (21.7) while Sacramento ranks 25th (21.6).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Houston is 1-4 ATS with 4 unders and 1 over.
Sacramento is 2-3 ATS with 5 unders over their last five games.
The Rockets’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 0.2, down from 8.7 for the season.
During their last five games, the Kings have scored an average of 90.6 points per game (8.3 below their season average) and allowed an average of 96.6 points per game (9.5 below their season average).
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