In an immediate rematch of Thursday’s thriller in Houston, the Rockets and Sacramento Kings will again do battle from Toyota Center on Saturday afternoon. Tipoff is set for 4:00 p.m. Central. These rematches are part of the NBA’s new scheduling protocol for the 2020-21 season amid the COVID-19 pandemic, as part of an effort to minimize travel.
In Thursday’s first game, James Harden led the Rockets with 33 points and eight assists as Houston used a clutch run late in the fourth quarter to push past Sacramento, 122-119 (box score). The win improved Houston to 1-2 on the regular season, while dropping the Kings to 3-2.
Playing in his first regular-season game in over two calendar years, John Wall led Houston in assists with nine and finished second in scoring with 22 points. Meanwhile, his perimeter defense helped limit rising Kings star De’Aaron Fox into a 9-of-23 shooting night (39.1%) on New Year’s Eve.
Christian Wood added 21 points and 12 rebounds, while Eric Gordon scored an efficient 17 points on 50% shooting off Houston’s bench.
Here’s when you should tune in to see Saturday’s game:
- Date: Saturday, Jan. 2
- Time: 4 p.m. Central
- TV Channel: AT&T SportsNet Southwest
- Live stream: fuboTV in Houston markets (watch for free)
Probable starting lineups
Houston Rockets
- Guard: James Harden
- Guard: John Wall
- Forward: Danuel House Jr.
- Forward: PJ Tucker
- Center: Christian Wood
Sacramento Kings
- Guard: De’Aaron Fox
- Guard: Buddy Hield
- Forward: Harrison Barnes
- Forward: Marvin Bagley III
- Center: Richaun Holmes
The Kings had a balanced scoring attack in Thursday’s close loss, led by Barnes with 24 points (57.1% FG). Fox and Holmes each scored 22, while Hield added 19 points on five made 3-pointers.
The Kings will be without rookie guard Tyrese Haliburton, who suffered a bone bruise on his left wrist during Thursday’s game. Meanwhile, the Rockets remain without reserve guard Ben McLemore, who is self-isolating after reportedly testing positive for COVID-19.
