Jan 10, 2025; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Sacramento Kings ahead Domantas Sabonis (11) and ahead Trey Lyles (41) react after defeating the Boston Celtics within the second half at TD Backyard. Obligatory Credit score: David Butler II-Imagn Pictures Two of the most well liked groups within the Western Convention will go head-to-head Thursday night time when the Houston Rockets go to the Sacramento Kings within the rematch of an NBA Cup sport from final month.
Sacramento prevailed the primary time round, additionally on its residence courtroom, using 27 factors from Domantas Sabonis and 22 from De’Aaron Fox to a 120-111 victory.
The Kings had few memorable moments subsequent to that Dec. 3 assembly till firing coach Mike Brown after the membership had misplaced 5 consecutive video games and fallen into final place within the Pacific Division on Dec. 27.
The change to Doug Christie has produced a resurgence in final yr’s 46-win membership, with Sacramento having gained seven of eight earlier than a 130-115 loss at Milwaukee on Tuesday night time that capped a 2-1 journey.
The Kings, who haven’t misplaced in 4 residence video games directed by Christie, now open a three-game homestand that will even function visits from the Washington Wizards and Golden State Warriors.
Christie mentioned he is gotten numerous assist from outdated mates because the Kings search not simply to make the Western Convention playoffs however win a sequence for the primary time because the present coach was on the Sacramento roster 21 years in the past.
“Mike (Bibby) popped within the different day after we had been enjoying Miami,” Christie mentioned of his former teammate. “(Chris Webber) has texted me quite a few instances. Bobby (Jackson) has texted me quite a few instances. Peja (Stojakovic) and Vlade (Divac) … It is nothing however love.
“All of us perceive what I am right here to do. They perceive it isn’t about me; it is extra about our workforce initially, but in addition our metropolis and our group, to attempt to do what we had been so near doing (profitable a championship) and we did not accomplish it.”
Regardless of their success beneath Christie, the Kings have an extended solution to go to catch the Rockets within the convention standings. Houston has gained 5 in a row and 10 of its previous 13, together with a surprisingly simple 128-108 highway conquer the Denver Nuggets on the entrance finish of a back-to-back on Wednesday night time.
Jalen Inexperienced, a former highschool star not removed from Sacramento at Prolific Prep in Napa, Calif., has been the driving pressure in Houston’s run to the second-best file within the West. He had 34 factors within the win over the Nuggets, giving him 27 or extra in six straight video games.
Inexperienced had 28 within the earlier loss at Sacramento.
Inexperienced and one other Northern California native, Amen Thompson, have developed a little bit of a pleasant rivalry in the course of the Rockets’ rise within the West.
Thompson, who was a CYO and AAU standout as a youth within the Oakland suburb of San Leandro, has made his mark totally on the defensive finish. That is one thing of which he is made Inexperienced nicely conscious.
“You see what Jalen did tonight? Unguardable,” Thompson mentioned after Inexperienced’s 42-point explosion Monday in a two-point win towards the Memphis Grizzlies. “Until it is me. You’ll be able to inform him that.”
Thompson had solely three factors within the first assembly with the Kings. The second-year swingman has since developed to the purpose the place he is averaging 16.6 factors and 12 rebounds within the Rockets’ previous 5 video games, whereas additionally discovering time for a complete of 16 assists, 11 steals and eight blocks.
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