The Houston Rockets (3 - 3) defeated the Sacramento Kings (1 - 5) by a score of 116 - 110 on Friday. In the continued absence of DeMarcus Cousins (Achilles), Sacramento opted to go with a smaller lineup versus the Rockets on Friday. Kings offseason acquisition Marco Belinelli was in the starting five at small forward as part of the personnel shift, but couldn’t come close to duplicating the success he’d enjoyed off the bench in the first five games. The veteran guard had already tallied three double - digit scoring nights this season in a reserve role, but only mustered five points and a paltry 20 percent success rate from the field versus the Rockets. Houston rode the hot hand of James Harden, who posted his third consecutive strong offensive showing after a slow start from the field this season. The All-Star guard was in the zone Friday, posting season bests in points, assists, and shooting percentage. Harden has shot 44 percent (31 - for - 71) during his three - game hot streak, posting 37, 28, and 43 points, respectively during those contests. Houston also enjoyed productive outings from their other four starters, which included Clint Capela posting a double - double while subbing in for the resting Dwight Howard. Marcus Thornton also pitched in with a strong 16 - point effort in the absence of Terrance Jones (face). The Rockets evened their record at 3 - 3 and vault into a second - place tie with the Memphis Grizzlies in the Western Conference’s Southwest Division. Houston next heads to Los Angeles for a Saturday showdown with the Clippers. Facing a 61 - 50 deficit at the half, the Kings were able to rally and make the game interesting in the third and fourth quarters largely on the back of their bench. Omri Casspi and Darren Collison contributed a pair of 22 - point efforts, which were essential on a night where Rudy Gay could not find the basket for the better part of three quarters. Meanwhile, Belinelli, James Anderson, and Kosta Koufos flopped in starting roles. First-round pick Willie Cauley-Stein, relegated to the bench as part of the Kings’ lineup makeover prior to the game, mustered seven points and nine rebounds over 22 minutes. The Kings dropped to 1 - 5 on the season and remain in last place in the Western Conference’s Pacific Division. They'll remain at home for a Saturday tilt with the reigning NBA champion Golden State Warriors.
["TeamStat(G,'Kings') has 5 Losses ,has 110 Total points ,has 1 Wins ."
 "TeamStat(G,'Rockets') has 3 Losses ,has 116 Total points ,has 3 Wins ."]