The Houston Rockets had a nip-and-tuck first half with the Sacramento Kings, before blowing the game open in the second half and taking 121-95 victory in H-town on Wednesday night.
The Rockets were led by Alperen Sengun with 28 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists and 4 steals on 11-for-20 shooting from the field, and by Kevin Durant, who finished with 24 points, 3 rebounds and 8 assists on 9-for-16 shooting from the floor.
The Rockets used old-fashioned basketball to physically punish the Kings, as they outrebounded Sacramento 62-32, shot 53 percent from the field to the Kings’ 41 percent and only shot a grand total of 16 threes, making 5 of them. Those are some ‘90s basketball numbers right there. Houston had 78 points in the paint to Sacramento’s 46 and also had 30 fast break points to Sacramento’s 7.
Houston also had 20 points, 12 rebounds, 7 assist, 2 steals and a block from Amen Thompson on 8-for-16 from the field, but he also committed 5 turnovers. Jabari Smith Jr. pitched in 14 points, 8 rebounds and 2 blocks, while Steven Adams had 11 points, 8 rebounds and 2 blocks in just 18 minutes off the bench. Reed Sheppard also went back to the bench, though he still played 28 minutes, but only scored 5 points on 2-for-7 shooting, while also grabbing 6 boards and also getting 1 assist, 1 steal and 2 blocks. Josh Okogie drew the start over Reed, and while he had just 3 total points, he was a game-high +24.
Over on the Kings’ side, they were led by two bench players, with Malik Monk and Maxime Raynaud scoring 25 points apiece. Former Rocket Russell Westbrook and DeMar DeRozan led Kings starters with just 12.
The Rockets are now off tonight, but will be back in action on Friday at home against the Phoenix Suns.