Now on to Texas,
where stronger challenges lie.
Is the progress real?
Sacramento Kings at Houston Rockets
Toyota Center, Houston
5 p.m. Pacific on Comcast SportsNet
The Kings roll into Houston to take on the struggling but powerful Rockets. Houston is down at 3-7 thanks in part to a road heavy schedule. The Rockets are 2-1 at home and 1-7 on the road, and have had a slightly tougher schedule than the Kings so far. (B-Ref has Houston at No. 5 in strength of schedule, the Kings are at No. 6.)
Our old friend Kevin Martin leads Houston in scoring, but his numbers are way down (16.7 points per game) and his efficiency is not strong early this season. Luis Scola is faring similarly as the Rockets get used to Kevin McHale's system and requirements. Kyle Lowry has had little trouble translating, as he's been one of the league's very best players early on, averaging 15 points, 9.4 assists, 6.8 rebounds and 2.1 steals.
Defending those two guards -- Lowry and Martin -- is a real test for the Kings' backcourt of Jimmer Fredette and Tyreke Evans. But Evans will rake Martin (assuming that's how the assignments align; McHale could flip Lowry on to Evans and stick Martin on Jimmer), and the Rockets have no one able to guard the DeMarcus Cousins we've seen since Denver.
According to 82games.com, opposing centers are scoring 22 points per 48 minutes on 53 percent shooting against Houston. That'll do.
Game's at 5. Game threads at 5 and 6:30. Let's go Kings!
0 recs | 42 comments
This can be a really good game for both Reke and Cousins
Particularly Cousins because nobody on Houston has been able to stop opposing big men from rebounding and scoring
wallywagon11 - January 13, 2012
Unfortunately we are the worst team for giving up points at the rim.
Teams are shooting 75% at the rim and scoring almost 20 baskets per game against the Kings. Yes Houston is 3rd worst, but I wouldn’t consider that an advantage.
Recently the Kings have the highest FT%, and all season they are getting to the FT line more often than their opponents. We’re the 2nd best Off Reb team which should lead to some 2nd chance points, but our turnover rate is worse than Houston’s which may nullify the 2nd chance points advantage.
Really, it’s probably going to come down to hitting our shots. At 40% FG% we lose, at 48% we win.
HighTops - January 13, 2012
you and your facts and reality
should be one of the more fun games to watch
wallywagon11 - January 13, 2012
We protect the rim really well on offense. Nothing gets in there.
SPTSJUNKIE - January 13, 2012
With that last statistic
and the way he’s been playing I think DMC goes off tonight. Possibly 20-20.
ThomasGQ - January 13, 2012 via iPhone app
What do you predict him to do
in the second half?
ElRonToro - January 13, 2012
Take a victory nap on the bench
Because the game will have already been decided by halftime.
Olde Greg - January 13, 2012
Foul out
Shizzo - January 13, 2012
Just.. don't :(
SPTSJUNKIE - January 13, 2012
Last I saw of Martin he looks like he's put on weight.
Which makes him look awkwardly top heavy.
Tyreke and Salmons will have to take out Lowry/Martin, Jimmer doesn’t have a shot in hell against them. Offensively Tyreke should be able to dominate this team
If Cousins can stay out of foul trouble, I could see him getting another 20+ points and 15+ rebounds again.
I am also calling this Salmons break out game. I have an odd feeling that tonight is the night averages start to work themselves out and he has a good performance.
HeuristicLineup - January 13, 2012
Yeah, but for the Rockets
Martin or Lowry will have to play the game of their life to try to slow down Salmons……. oh man, almost got through it without laughing.
SPTSJUNKIE - January 13, 2012
You can't stop Salmons, you can only hope to contain him.
bench_blob - January 13, 2012
They say everything's bigger in Texas, so I'm expecting 25-25 from DMC tonight
SPTSJUNKIE - January 13, 2012
Everyone chill out
We got this.
AnotherStupidSN - January 13, 2012
lol
bench_blob - January 13, 2012
Well... That about wraps up this pregame thread...
HeuristicLineup - January 13, 2012
This is so wrong, I love it.
SPTSJUNKIE - January 13, 2012
Holy crap this has me laughing.
Aykis16 - January 13, 2012
I might have to make this my new avatar.
Aykis16 - January 13, 2012
I'd be honored.
AnotherStupidSN - January 13, 2012
LOLLLLL
Shizzo - January 13, 2012
So good
section214 - January 13, 2012
Full of win!
DiegoKing - January 13, 2012
Another reason
This site leads SBN in quality Photoshops and GIFs
darooster - January 13, 2012
Starting off the road trip 2-1 would be sweeeeeet
Unfortunately this will be the first game I won’t be able to watch because I’m on my way to go duck hunting. I hope Cousins dominate Dally, Tyreke dominates KMART, and IT makes ball movement his bitch. Go Kings!
elSAVinator - January 13, 2012
Houston is better than their record
For the last couple years Houston has been the epitome of average in the NBA. They’ve been the team on the cusp of making the playoffs, but never making it. And this year they are again average in almost every statistical category, except in getting to the FT line where they are last.
That doesn’t mean this won’t be a tough game, because they are better than their record shows. Like the Kings they’ve had a Playoff caliber opponent in most of their games. They’ve lost to Orlando, split with San Antonio, lost to Memphis, beat Atlanta, lost to both LA teams before finally losing a home and away to Oklahoma City. They’re one road win came in an unimpressive 82 to 70 victory over the Bobcat, the only none Playoff bound team they faced. While they have lost 5 of their last 6 games only one was at home, and 2 of their 3 wins came at home.
As for our Kings alumni, Sammy finally made it into the starting lineup 3 games ago, but his stats for the season are unimpressive. He’s averaging under 6 pts and 6 rebs and 1.6 blocks in 19 mpg. Kmart is also struggling shooting 41% from the field and 32% from beyond the arc in 34 mpg. In his last 3 outings, he’s 16 of 45 from the field (35.6%) and 4 of 14 from 3pt range (28.6%).
Houston has only played 2 games in the last 5 days and like the Kings had Thursday off. I expect them to go with a 9 man rotation of Dalembert and Hill at Center, Scola and Patrick Patterson at the PF, Chandler Parsons their 2nd round pick in 2011 (6-9 200lbs) and Chase Budinger at SF, with Martin, Lowry and Dragic in the backcourt. Their core starters of Martin, Lowry and Scola could all see Playing Times in the 40’s.
The Kings will have to shot better than their average FG% of 40%, and that means taking high percentage shots and getting to the rim. The way we’ve been shooting from beyond the arc, the misses that turn into fast break points for Houston will outnumber our points on the made 3’s. There should be some great matchups; Martin & Tyreke, Cousins & Dalembert, even Thomas and Lowry. And, I’m really looking forward to see how Coach Smart plans to defend Scola. Win or Lose this is going to be a fun game to watch.
HighTops - January 13, 2012
They would win this, but...
No Adelman and a new coach that has not been able to get his system in place. This team is in disarray and because of this the Kings can win a game that would otherwise be almost a sure loss. Probably depends who wants it bad enough and who plays harder.
CowbellKings - January 13, 2012
it would be nice for Salmons finally play like he is a NBA player
Also since I’m dreaming what about a 2-1 ast to t.o. ratio tonight ? Is that asking to much ? Hopefully DMC will stay stop reaching in like he did last game so he can play 30 plus min. Maybe Fredette has a nice all around game as well. I think this is a winable game, I don’t think Hill is a good matchup vs DMC. Hopefully we attack that immediately !
WE NEED A DEFENSIVE MINDED CENTER - January 13, 2012
2-1 is doable
If they can manage to get only 3 turnovers
Allbenji - January 13, 2012 via mobile
I hope...
I hope I can find an online stream for this one…
chri5 - January 13, 2012
I worry about Kevin Martin and Lowry getting our guards in foul trouble
They are both good at getting to the line. Hopefully we can play well and get some easy shots for once.
Wonderchild - January 13, 2012
I've been having to watch all my Kings games on tape delay,
but loving what I saw in Toronto. Let’s hope for more improvement tonight.
chenp22 - January 13, 2012
chen, while you're here
not sure if you’ve seen it, but there’s been requests for you to update your famous “driving gif” with someone current (Jimmer?) in place of Omri. Not to assign you work, but I think it’s safe to say that’s one of the favorite victory gifs around here, and for now it brings with it a bit of a downer seeing Omri on there. So get to it!
AnotherStupidSN - January 13, 2012
Phhhh. Going to need those TPS GIFs. Also going to need you to come in Sunday too chepn, kay?
SPTSJUNKIE - January 13, 2012
How can Jimmer make 3 full-court shots in a row but can't seem to shoot for the Kings?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xzu8E7m9pG0
Mr. Rockie - January 13, 2012
Less athletic players take awhile to adjust to speed of game
Stephen Curry’s Rookie year:
November: 14 games – 41.7%
December: 15 games – 44.5%
January: 14 games – 48%
James Harden’s Rookie year:
November: 15 games – 41.2%
December: 15 games – 35.7%
January: 15 games – 39.3%
February: 11 games – 41.8%
March: 10 games – 42%
April: 8 games – 47.4%
Jrue Holiday’s Rookie year:
November: 11 games – 34.4%
December: 11 games – 35.9%
January: 15 games – 40.3%
February: 11 games – 45.6%
March: 17 games – 49.7%
April: 7 games – 50%
Evan Turner’s Rookie year:
November: 15 games – 39.8%
December: 13 games – 40.7%
January: 14 games – 39.8%
February: 12 games – 46.8%
March: 15 games – 43.8%
April: 6 games – 48.1%
All of these players had an adjustment period and some brutal early shooting. Finding their role. Figuring out how to use their craftiness against bigger, more athletic NBA shooters. Getting the timing down on their jumpers with quicker closeouts from NBA defenders.
These take time. Curry was the quickest of the four players listed. Some took a few months. Jimmer had almost zero pre-season. Has been thrown into the fire. And hasn’t even completed the equivalent of 1 month of games.
Not a single one of the players above was shooting even 42% during this same stretch. And if Jimmer’s shot settles down like these four crafty, but under-athletic players, we will all be thrilled by the end of the season.
SPTSJUNKIE - January 13, 2012
Fair enough, but Jimmer is his own category of player.
Membership, one.
bench_blob - January 13, 2012
Come on now. You at least should include Jordan in that category too. Maybe Kareem & Duncan too.
SPTSJUNKIE - January 13, 2012
He was going to
But he didn’t want to offend Jimmer
darooster - January 13, 2012
Jordan was good
but he’s no Jimmer.
Mr. Rockie - January 13, 2012
Once we get healthy...
Once we get “never nervous” pervis healthy and back on the court I think we can run our blitz package and stop all the easy red zone points we are giving up.
Skinsworth Bentley - January 13, 2012
There are so many things wrong with this sentence
I don’t know if that makes it the greatest comment in this thread or the worst
darooster - January 13, 2012
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