NBA Picks: Sacrament Kings at Houston Rockets
Written by Steve Janus - Google +
The Houston Rockets will look for their sixth straight win at home tonight when they take on the Sacramento Kings. The Rockets are trying to ride the ship and get back to .500 after a dismal start to the 2010 season. Houston is just 9-14, and have really killed themselves with poor play on the road. The Rockets are just 2-10 away from home this season. Houston has played very well at home, and come in off a 110-95 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Saturday. On the same night the Kings were blown out at home by the Miami Heat 104-93. After starting the season 3-1, the Kings are just 2-15 over their last 17 games. If you are thinking about placing a wager on the game, the current NBA spreads have the Rockets favored by 9-points over the Kings at home.
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Kevin Martins scored 40 points against the Cavaliers this past weekend, including an impressive 32 points in the first half. Martin, who was traded to Houston from Sacrament last season, will look for another big game against his old team tonight. After scoring just 14 points on 3-13 shooting in a 84-81 loss to the Kings last March, Martin responded with 39 points in a 117-107 win in April, which was his previous high with the Rockets before his 40 point effort on Saturday.
If Martin struggles someone else will have to have a big game. Louis Scola comes in averaging just over 20 points a game, and scored 35 points against the Pistons last week. Shane Battier and Kyle Lowery also have the ability to put together strong games. Houston really misses point guard Aaron Brooks, who will be out for this game, but is expected to return shortly.
The reason the Kings traded away Martin last season, is they wanted to make room for the eventual Rookie of the Year, Tyreke Evans. It hasn’t exactly been the sophomore season the Kings were hoping from Evans, as he comes into tonight’s game averaging just 16.5 points a game, and its unclear whether or not he will even play. Evans has been dealing with an inflamed arch on his left foot, and for a player who relies so heavily on his quickness with the ball, it may be in the best interest for the Kings to give him some time off to get healthy. If Evan can’t go, Francisco Garcia will start in his play.
The Kings are just 2-6 away from home this season, and are scoring just 93.6 points per game. One thing to keep in mind is the Rockets are 17-10 at home against the Kings since 1996, but Sacramento has been the play on the spread, covering 17 times over the same stretch.
If you need more help on deciding who to take tonight, check out what our NBA handicappers have to offer in their expert NBA picks.
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