Rockets, Kings Set for Rematch in Sacramento SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Interstat) — The Houston Rockets look to avenge a recent narrow defeat when they visit the struggling Sacramento Kings on Sunday at Golden 1 Center. The matchup features two teams on vastly different trajectories. The Rockets (22-12) enter as one of the Western Conference’s top teams, while the Kings (8-29) own one of the league’s worst records. This will be the third meeting this season; the teams split the first two, with each winning on the other’s home floor. Most recently, Sacramento edged Houston 125-124 on Dec. 21. Houston arrives after a heartbreaking 103-102 road loss to Portland on Wednesday, snapping a stretch of solid form. The Rockets had won five of their previous seven games. Guard Amen Thompson has been a catalyst, averaging 20.1 points, 8.5 rebounds and 5.5 assists over his last 10 games. He posted 24 points, 12 rebounds and six assists in the loss to Portland and had 18 points, nine rebounds and eight assists in the December loss to Sacramento. The Kings are mired in a prolonged slump, having lost 10 of their last 11 games. Their lone victory in that span was a 113-107 win over Dallas on Dec. 27. They are coming off a 100-98 home loss to the Mavericks on Tuesday. Rookie center Maxime Raynaud has been a consistent performer for Sacramento, recording a double-double in four of his last 10 games. He had 12 points and 14 rebounds in the December win over Houston. Houston’s offense, powered by Thompson and veteran forward Kevin Durant, will test a Sacramento defense that has allowed an average of 113.8 points per game during its 1-10 skid. The Rockets have scored 120 or more points in four of their last seven games. For Sacramento, finding consistent scoring beyond DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine remains a challenge. The Kings will need another strong performance from Raynaud inside to counter Houston’s athleticism. Following this game, Houston returns home to face Chicago on Tuesday. Sacramento continues a homestand Monday against the Los Angeles Lakers. Tip-off is scheduled for 6 p.m. PST.