Kings at Rockets
The torrid Houston Rockets look to continue their dominance of Sacramento when they host the Kings on Wednesday. Houston has won the past six meetings with the Kings and 13 of the last 14, including a 105-100 season-opening triumph Oct. 18.
The Rockets extended their overall winning streak to nine games with Tuesday's convincing 126-108 road victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves. Houston drained 22 3-pointers - including 10 in the fourth quarter - to win for the 16th time in 18 games and move within a half-game of the Golden State Warriors for the NBA's best record. Sacramento registered a 114-109 road victory over the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday and has split its last 10 games after enduring a season-worst eight-game losing streak. The Kings displayed stellar ball movement against Dallas by racking up a season-high 30 assists and committing only nine turnovers while shooting a solid 54 percent from the field.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, NBCS California (Sacramento), AT&T SportsNet Southwest (Houston)
ABOUT THE KINGS (18-38): Veteran power forward Zach Randolph scored 22 points on 10-of-15 shooting against the Mavericks and knew exactly why he recorded his second 20-point effort in his past 15 appearances. "We were sharing the ball," Randolph said after the contest. "Once we were moving the ball, we were getting attacks. That's what good teams do - move the ball." Rookie shooting guard Bogdan Bogdanovich also was a beneficiary of the stellar passing and scored 19 points for his highest output since pouring in a season-best 25 against the Utah Jazz on Jan. 17.
ABOUT THE ROCKETS (43-13): All-Star guard James Harden and forward Ryan Anderson each knocked down six 3-pointers in Tuesday's victory and Harden was impressed with his team's long-range marksmanship during a 42-point fourth quarter. "I knew we were making our shots, but that fourth quarter, that's what we're capable of," Harden told reporters after scoring 34 points. "I think it was a four-point game and we went on a 12-0 (run). That's how fast it was." Houston is averaging 115.7 points during its winning streak, which includes a 32-point trouncing of the Cleveland Cavaliers and a 26-point rout of the Denver Nuggets in addition to Tuesday's 18-point victory over a Minnesota team that had won 13 straight home games.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. The Kings have dropped seven consecutive games in Houston since posting a 110-106 victory Dec. 31, 2013.
2. Anderson scored 21 points against the Timberwolves, only his second 20-point outing in his past 32 appearances.
3. Sacramento backup C Kosta Koufos hit all five of his shots against Dallas and is 24-of-35 in six games this month.