Kings drop second straight to Rockets

It’s safe to assume that the Sacramento Kings don’t mind the fact that they won’t be playing the Houston Rockets again any time soon.

After falling to the Rockets 122-119 on Thursday, the Kings lost to Houston again on Saturday — this time by a margin of 102-94. The Kings are now 3-3 for the season.

The Kings and Rockets had a hard time pulling away from each other in the first half, ending the first two quarters in a tie. However, with how much defense both teams were, or weren’t, playing, it was only going to take one of the teams getting cold for the other to start pulling away, and that’s what happened in the second half.

While the Kings were struggling to get their offense going in the second half due to a lack of ball movement and an absence of opportunities created in transition, the Rockets were able to lean on John Wall for their offense. Wall scored 28 points on 11-of-21 shooting from the field.

De’Aaron Fox wasn’t too far behind Wall with 23 points, but he shot a less efficient 8-of-19 from the field and he wasn’t as aggressive on the defensive end as Wall was. Fox was great, but Wall and the Rockets were better.

Add that to some questionable rotation choices from head coach Luke Walton with Tyrese Haliburton sidelined, and you have the Kings’ third loss off of the season. The Kings will be back at it on Monday to take on the Golden State Warriors.