Rockets lose double-digit lead and fall to Kings in NBA Cup competition

The Houston Rockets lost to the Sacramento Kings 120-111. Houston was 33-14 in assists and had 16 turnovers, while Sacramento had 10.

Both teams started slowly before the first timeout of the game. The Rockets shot 3 of 12 and the Kings 4 of 13. Houston started 0-3 through three games and Sacramento started 1-5. After the timeout, Jalen Green led the Rockets and they shot 5-for-6 in just over three minutes.

With Houston being one of the best rebounding teams in the league, rebounds had to continue to help. The Rockets outscored Sacramento 18-8 in the first quarter, four of which were offensive players. Houston led 28:23 at the end of the first period.

Things started to get difficult late in the second quarter when Dillon Brooks knocked the ball out of Domantas Sabonis’ hands. On the next play, Green hit a three-pointer for Houston and Jabari Smith Jr. was knocked to the ground. Smith Jr. was then brought down by De’Aaron Fox. The two got into a scuffle in which the five players from each team got involved. Brooks, Smith Jr. and Fox all received technical drills. Green’s three-pointer was wiped off the scoreboard as Sacramento received a free throw and Houston then gained possession.

The only thing Brooks can do is get the team going. Houston loves the tense moments because they are a tenacious team that thrives on intensity. That’s exactly what Brooks is. He hit a goal right after Sacramento’s reward free throw that quieted the crowd and gave the team a 9-2 lead.

Sacramento ended the quarter with an 11-1 run. At the end of the half it was 55:54. Green had 16 points on 5/10 shooting.

DeMar DeRozan led the way for the Kings early in the second half. The team changed its offensive scheme and played through him most of the quarter instead of three-point sets and pick-and-rolls like the first half. He quickly scored five points in the first minute and a half. Malik Monk then hit a three-pointer over Green, followed by a three-pointer from Keegan Murry to give Sacramento a six-point lead. DeRozan continued to take another shot from mid-range and Houston had no answer on defense. The Kings do a great job on screens, and Sabonis rolled away from a goal for a layup, giving the team a total of 13 straight shots. After Ime Udoka scored 15 points in a row and built a 12-point lead, he called a timeout. Houston continued to lose and DeRozan continued his all-star shooting from mid-range.

In the fourth quarter, the Rockets managed to reduce the lead to seven. After much back and forth in scoring, Houston was unable to prevent Sacramento from being stopped on defense. Tari Eason continued to play fantastic defense but couldn’t convert any of his layups. With 2:35 left, Houston trailed by 12 and Udoka cleared the bench with Jae’Sean Tate and Aaron Holiday to end the game. The late chaos resulted in Sengun and Udoka being eliminated from the game. Udoka kicked the referee in the face and Sengnu argued.

The Rockets battle the Golden State Warriors on Thursday. Meet at the Chase Center at 9:00 p.m. CST.

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