The Houston Rockets (15-7) will be 12-point favorites at home in the Toyota Center when they go head-to-head against the Sacramento Kings (9-13). The game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 227 points and it can be seen on NBC Sports – California at 8 p.m. ET on Monday, December 9, 2019.
Sacramento Kings vs. Houston Rockets Betting Odds
The Kings will be looking for similar success after topping the Dallas Mavericks in their last contest, 110-106, as 4.5-point underdogs. The Rockets, meanwhile, topped the Phoenix Suns,115-109, but were unable to cover as 12-point favorites. The Sacramento game finished 2 points over the projected point total of 214, while the Houston game finished 16 points under the projected point total of 240.
Sacramento dominated nearly every stat category in the game. They had an absurdly low turnover percentage of 8.2 (better than their season average of 13.6) and a free throw rate of 0.106 (matching their season average). For those same stats, Dallas was 11.8 and 0.081, respectively. Meanwhile, Houston’s 0.242 free throw rate was their largest strength over Phoenix, who had a mark of 0.188. The Rockets’ mark matched their season average, while the Suns’ was below their season average of 0.224. Russell Westbrook led the way for Houston with 24 points, 14 rebounds and 11 assists to notch his fifth triple-double of the season. Meanwhile, Nemanja Bjelica had a good game for Sacramento, finishing with 30 points and seven rebounds.
The Rockets dominated this series last year, winning all four games. In the most recent matchup, Houston won 130-105. The Rockets’ 6.5 turnover percentage was their largest advantage over the Kings, who had a mark of 9.6. This is the first time these teams will battle this year.
Games involving the Kings have typically finished under the O/U total (66.7 percent). Sacramento heads into the game with records of 9-13 straight up (SU) and 13-8 against the spread (ATS).
Similarly to Sacramento, Rockets games also have a tendency to go under the O/U total (59.1 percent). Moreover, Houston is 15-7 SU and 12-10 ATS.
It will be a showdown of contrasting styles as the up-tempo Rockets (ranked first in the NBA in possessions per game) will look to push the more grind-it-out Kings (29th in possessions per game).
Kings vs. Rockets ATS Pick
Free NBA Pick: SU Winner – Rockets, ATS Winner – Rockets, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- The Kings rank 20th in points off turnovers per game (17.1) while the Rockets rank 24th in points off turnovers allowed per game (18.8).
- Sacramento ranks first in fast break points allowed per game (10.7) while Houston ranks 29th (16.5).
- The Kings rank 10th in three pointers allowed per game (32.6) while the Rockets rank 26th (36.6).
- Sacramento ranks 11th in points allowed in the paint per game (46.6) while Houston ranks 26th (51.2).
- Houston ranks third in second chance points per game (15.2) while Sacramento ranks 15th (12.9).
- The Rockets rank third in rebounds per game (48.4) while the Kings rank 28th (42.0).
- The Kings rank 12th in assists allowed per game (23.5) while the Rockets rank 27th (26.3).
- Houston ranks third in steals per game (8.8) while Sacramento ranks 21st in steals allowed per game (8.3).
- Sacramento is 4-2 when they allow under 100 points, while Houston is 2-0.
- The Kings are 9-7 when they score more than 100 points, while the Rockets are 15-6.
- Sacramento is 8-4 ATS on the road, while Houston is 6-5 ATS at home.
- The total has gone under in 9 of the Kings’ 12 road games, while 6 of the Rockets’ 11 home games have gone over.
Bettings Trends:
- In their last five games, Sacramento and Houston are both 3-2 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs.
- During their last five games, the Kings have scored an average of 107.2 points per game (2.1 above their season average) and allowed an average of 109.6 points per game (1.1 above their season average).
- The Rockets’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 14.0, up from 5.6 for the season.
