Domantas Sabonis scores 27 as Kings slow Rockets

Field Level Media|published: Wed 4th December, 24:57 2024

NBA: Houston Rockets at Sacramento Kings

Dec 3, 2024; Sacramento, California, USA; Sacramento Kings forward DeMar DeRozan (10) controls the ball against Houston Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. (10) during the first quarter at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images

Domantas Sabonis had a team-high 27 points, DeMar DeRozan poured 13 of his 16 points into a third-quarter eruption and the Sacramento Kings dashed the Houston Rockets' hopes being the West's top seed in next week's NBA Cup quarterfinals with a 120-111 home win Tuesday night.

Despite the loss, the Rockets captured first place in the event's West Group A with a 3-1 record, and they earned an automatic berth among the conference's final four. With none of the three group winners going unbeaten, a tiebreaker determined the top three seeds, and the Rockets landed between the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder and third-seeded Golden State Warriors.

The Rockets will host the Warriors in a quarterfinal game next week.

Houston ran out to a 28-19 lead in the final minute of the first quarter. Jabari Smith Jr., Jalen Green and Fred VanVleet buried 3-pointers in the early run.

However, the Kings took over from there. They scored the final eight points of the second period to get within one entering halftime, then took the lead for good with a 42-point third quarter.

Malik Monk and Keegan Murray hit two 3-pointers apiece to complement DeRozan's big quarter, helping the hosts take a 96-84 lead into the final period.

The Rockets got no closer than six over the final 12 minutes.

De'Aaron Fox added 22 points for Sacramento, which won for the first time in its four NBA Cup games. while Monk posted 17 points and a game-high 12 assists.

Sabonis also collected seven rebounds and four assists.

Seven Kings scored in double figures, including Murray and Kevin Huerter with 13 points apiece and Isaac Jones with 12.

Green went for a game-high 28 points and Alperen Sengun had 24 for Houston, which entered the contest on a three-game winning streak. Sengun also found time for eight rebounds and a team-high six assists.

Tari Eason chipped in with 16 points, a game-high 12 rebounds and three steals off the bench for the visitors, while VanVleet finished with 13 points.

--Field Level Media

Latest