Kings vs. Rockets, 12/31/20 NBA Fantasy News & Betting Predictions

Kings vs. Rockets Thursday Prediction

After opening as a 3.5-point home favorite versus the visiting Kings, the Rockets are now laying 5.5 points on Thursday night in a 7:00 p.m. ET matchup in Houston. Will the 0-2 Rockets cover that number or are the 3-1 Kings the better play as the road pup?

Game Snapshot

517 Sacramento Kings (+5.5) at 518 Houston Rockets (-5.5); o/u 231.5

7:00 p.m. ET, Thursday, December 31, 2020

Venue: Toyota Center, Houston, TX

TV: N/A

Sacramento Kings DFS Spin

Marvin Bagley shot 6-of-12 from the field and 4-of-6 from the foul line in Tuesday’s win over the Nuggets, tallying 18 points, two rebounds, one assist, one steal and two 3-pointers in 23 minutes. Bagley wasn’t on the court as the Kings closed out Denver, due in large part to the excellence of rookie guard Tyrese Haliburton. But he has played well to start this season, hitting double figures in each of the Kings’ four games. Bagley finishing with just two rebounds wasn’t great, but he shot 50% from the field and drained a season-high two 3-pointers. Bagley’s well outside of the top-200 in both 8- and 9-cat formats, due in large part to the lack of consistent defensive production. But it would be wise to hang onto him, especially if Bagley can hit the high-20s in minutes per game.

Houston Rockets DFS Spin

James Harden hit 10-of-16 shots, five triples and 9-of-9 3-pointers for 34 points, six rebounds, eight assists, a steal and five turnovers in 31 minutes of a blowout loss to the Nuggets on Monday. It didn't even look like Harden was trying that hard at times, yet he was still easily the best player on the court, outside of the antics of Nikola Jokic, who had another monster triple-double. It would be interesting to hear Harden's thoughts on Christian Wood, but we doubt that will happen. It's clear he still wants out of Houston and is just biding his time until a trade can be arranged. But even when he's simply biding his time, Harden is still the best fantasy player in the game. Just keep rolling him out there and hope that things remain civil between him and the Rockets.

Kings vs. Rockets Betting Prediction

The Kings are just 1-6 against the spread in their last seven games versus the Rockets, who have covered in six of their last home games versus Sacramento. That said, the Kings have covered in six of their last seven games as a road underdog, in five of their last six games overall and are 7-3 at the betting window in their last 10 road games. The Rockets, meanwhile, are just 1-5 against the number in their last six games overall, have failed to cover in four of their last five games when favored and are winless at the betting window in their last five games coming off a loss.

NBA BETTING PREDICTION: SACRAMENTO KINGS +5.5