The Houston Rockets host the Sacramento Kings at Toyota Center on February 25, 2026, in a Western Conference matchup between two teams moving in completely different directions this season. Houston is firmly in the playoff race and has been one of the strongest home teams in the conference, while Sacramento continues to struggle near the bottom of the standings and is dealing with a heavily depleted roster.
The Rockets enter this game as heavy favorites thanks to their elite defense, strong rebounding, and the consistent scoring of Kevin Durant. Even though Houston’s offense has been inconsistent at times, their defensive structure has helped them control games. Sacramento, on the other hand, recently snapped a long losing streak but still lacks depth due to multiple season-ending injuries to key players, including Domantas Sabonis and Zach LaVine.
This matchup also presents an interesting contrast in styles. Houston relies on physical defense and rebounding, while the Kings have struggled to generate efficient offense, especially on the road. With Houston strong at home and Sacramento short-handed, this game could be controlled by the Rockets from the start. Below is the complete preview with standings, recent form, injury updates, key player stats, head-to-head trends, and the best betting picks.
Match Information
| Match | Sacramento Kings vs Houston Rockets |
|---|---|
| Date | February 25, 2026 |
| Time | 8:00 PM ET |
| Venue | Toyota Center, Houston |
| TV | NBC Sports California, SCHN |
| Spread | Rockets -13.5 to -14 |
| Over/Under | 221.5 |
| Moneyline | Rockets around -900, Kings +600 |
Current Standings & Team Stats
| Team | Record | Conference Rank | PPG | Points Allowed | Net Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rockets | 35-21 | West – Top 3 | 114.5 | 109.4 | Strong defense |
| Kings | 13-46 | West – 15th | 110.3 | 121.0 | Struggling season |
Recent Form (Last 10 Games)
| Team | Last 10 | ATS | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rockets | 6-4 | 3-7 | Alternating wins and losses |
| Kings | 1-9 | 4-6 | Recently snapped long losing streak |
Houston has been inconsistent against the spread but continues to win games, while Sacramento has struggled to stay competitive most nights.
Injury Report
Houston Rockets
| Player | Status |
|---|---|
| Fred VanVleet | Out for season – ACL |
| Steven Adams | Out for season – Ankle |
| Amen Thompson | Out – Quad |
| Jae’Sean Tate | Out – Knee |
Sacramento Kings
| Player | Status |
|---|---|
| Domantas Sabonis | Out for season – Back |
| Zach LaVine | Out for season – Finger |
| De’Andre Hunter | Out for season – Eye |
| Dylan Cardwell | Out – Ankle |
| Devin Carter | Day-to-day |
Also see: Most Dunks by a Guard in NBA History
Key Player Season Stats
Houston Rockets
| Player | Points | Rebounds | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kevin Durant | 25.9 | 5.4 | 4.5 |
| Alperen Sengun | 20.3 | 9.2 | 6.3 |
| Jabari Smith Jr. | 15.6 | 7.0 | 1.8 |
| Reed Sheppard | 12.7 | 2.6 | 3.0 |
| Tari Eason | 11.9 | 6.3 | 1.6 |
Houston also leads the league in rebounding and ranks among the top defensive teams.
Sacramento Kings
| Player | Points | Rebounds | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
| DeMar DeRozan | 18.6 | 3.1 | 3.8 |
| Russell Westbrook | 15.1 | 5.5 | 6.4 |
| Malik Monk | 12.5 | 1.9 | 2.6 |
| Maxime Raynaud | 10.1 | 7.0 | 1.1 |
| Precious Achiuwa | 7.7 | 5.6 | 1.2 |
Sacramento lacks a consistent offensive engine without its injured stars.
Head-to-Head (H2H)
| Category | Result |
|---|---|
| Last 3 Meetings | Kings lead 2-1 |
| First Meeting | Rockets won 121-95 |
| Recent Trend | Kings competitive in series |
| Home Edge | Rockets strong (19-7 at home) |
Despite Sacramento’s recent success in the series, Houston’s home form gives them the advantage.
Betting Trends
- Rockets defense ranks Top 3 in points allowed
- Houston’s last five games: 4 Unders
- Kings offensive rating ranks near the bottom since January
- Rockets are heavy favorites and strong at home
- Combined recent scoring average around 217–222 points
Best Picks for Kings vs Rockets
| Market | Pick |
|---|---|
| Spread | Rockets -13.5 |
| Total | Under 221.5 |
| Player Prop | Kevin Durant Over 25.5 Points |
| Moneyline | Rockets to Win |
Match Prediction
Houston has the clear advantage in defense, rebounding, depth, and home performance. Sacramento’s injury problems and weak defense make it difficult for them to keep up, especially on the road. If the Rockets control the pace and Durant delivers his usual scoring, this game could turn one-sided.
Predicted Score:
Rockets 123 – Kings 105
The Rockets are the stronger and more complete team in this matchup. Their defense should limit Sacramento’s already struggling offense, while their rebounding edge will control possession. Expect Houston to dominate at home, cover the large spread, and keep the total on the lower side.
