Tonight at 10:30 p.m. ET on TNT, the Houston Rockets (16-5) will travel to Sacramento to face the Kings (11-11) in the second game of a TNT double-header. Live stream the clash free by clicking this link; Rockets fans can find the radio broadcast on Sports Talk 790, while Kings fans may do likewise on KHTK CBS Sports 1140 AM.
The Rockets may be tired from chasing Golden State's "Splash Brothers" around the perimeter, but they are dodging a bullet on the tail end of this back-to-back. They won't have to deal with a very different threat-DeMarcus "Boogie" Cousins.
The enigmatic Kings center has finally seemed to harness his tremendous upside this year, becoming a leader for Sacramento and having his best statistical campaign yet. This year Cousins is averaging 23.5 points, 12.6 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.5 blocks. Luckily for Houston, he's out with an illness and can't take advantage of a Houston frontcourt missing Dwight Howard.
That leaves yet another game for Rockets guard James Harden to control. Harden is making a strong bid to be in the MVP discussion this season, as he's managed to keep the Rockets winning games without Howard.
Harden's averages are at career-highs across the board; he's scoring 26.5 points, grabbing 6.4 rebounds and handing out 6.4 assists. His much-maligned defense is improving as well. He'll never be a lockdown defender, but he is making an impact with two steals a night.
Sacramento hasn't adjusted so well without Cousins. They're 2-5, and point guard Darren Collison said there's no room for excuses. "I think he is the best rebounder in the game, so we definitely miss him," Collison said.
"But we have other guys that can play pretty much the same way. So there's no excuses on our part. We have guys who can step up and fill that void."
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