Houston Rockets vs Sacramento Kings Box Score on Oct 18, 2017

The Sports Xchange
Oct 19, 2017

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- James Harden scored nine of his 27 points during a decisive fourth-quarter spurt, and the Houston Rockets ensured they would hit their home floor with a spotless record by outlasting the Sacramento Kings 105-100 on Wednesday at the Golden 1 Center.

Harden, playing 38 minutes one night after scoring a game-high 27 in a 122-121 victory over the defending champion Golden State Warriors, nailed three 3-pointers as Houston stretched a 75-74 lead to 92-81 over a five-minute stretch of the final quarter.

The Rockets played without guard Chris Paul, who sat out most of the fourth quarter in the win over the Warriors with a bruised left knee. Houston coach Mike D'Antoni said the Rockets are hopeful that Paul will play in the team's home opener against the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday.

Eric Gordon, starting in the backcourt for Paul, contributed 25 points and three assists for Houston, which has won two straight to begin a season for the first time since 2014. Clint Capela scored 22 points, made 10 of 12 shots from the field and also collected 17 rebounds for Houston. Harden added nine assists.

Sacramento, opening a regular season without center DeMarcus Cousins for the first time since 2009, received 21 points and 10 rebounds from center Willie Cauley-Stein. Guard Buddy Hield, acquired in the trade that sent Cousins to the New Orleans Pelicans in February, added 19 points.

Rookie De'Aaron Fox, Sacramento's top pick (fifth overall) in the draft, produced 14 points on 7-for-15 shooting and added five assists to go with three turnovers.

NOTES: C Zach Randolph, set to enter his 16th season and one of only six players on the Sacramento roster with more than five years of experience, sat out the opener after having surgery on his mouth. Randolph left Memphis as a free agent after eight seasons with the Grizzlies. ... The Rockets have posted 11 straight winning seasons, tying them with the San Antonio Spurs for the longest such stretch in the NBA. ... Kings F Vince Carter began his 20th NBA season. Only Dallas' Dirk Nowitzki can match his experience. Carter, who scored six points, is 22nd on the NBA's all-time scoring list with 24,561 points. His two 3-pointers give him sole position of fifth with 2,052.