Pick your poison. There will be two interesting positional matchups in store for tonight’s NBA action. The Sacramento Kings and the Chicago Bulls pit two of the best big men against each other when DeMarcus Cousins matches up against Pau Gasol. At the same time, James Harden leads the Rockets against the talented backcourt of the Phoenix Suns.
Read on as we breakdown the night’s best action. For more information on these games, you can check out our comprehensive previews for the Kings vs. Bulls and Rockets vs. Suns.
[sc:MultiSportArticles ]Sacramento Kings vs. Chicago Bulls (8:00 PM ET)
Line: Sacramento Kings at Chicago Bulls – view these lines
[sc:NBA240banner ]Pau Gasol slammed in a putback with 9.4 seconds to play and the Chicago Bulls escaped with a 98-97 win over lowly Orlando on Sunday. It was a much-needed win for the Bulls, who are just 5-5 in their last 10 games. Gasol finished the game with his 12th straight double-double with 25 points and 15 rebounds. He leads the league with 33 this season.
If there’s one man who can keep up with Gasol, it’s Sacramento’s DeMarcus Cousins. Boogie trails Gasol by just one in double-double performances this season. He has averaged 24 points and 14.7 boards in three games against Chicago. The Kings, though, are just 2-11 in their last 13 games.
Writer’s Prediction
Gasol and the Bulls beat down on Sacramento. Take Chicago to win and cover.
Where does your allegiance lie in this battle of giants? Create a betting account now and get in on this heated game.
Houston Rockets vs. Phoenix Suns (8:00 PM ET)
Line: Houston Rockets (+1.5) at Phoenix Suns (-1.5); total 214.5 – view these lines
The Phoenix Suns suffered yet another buzzer-beater loss when Sacramento’s DeMarcus Cousins hit a jumper as time expired. Aside from the 85-83 loss to Sacramento, the Suns also lost on buzzer-beaters to the Clippers on December 8, Milwaukee on December 15 and to James Harden and the visiting Houston Rockets 113-111 on January 23. The Suns have gone 3-5 since that loss to Houston.
Harden finished with 33 points in that game and is as hot as ever. The league’s leading scorer has averaged 29 points over the past five games and has hit 44 percent of his three-pointers during that span. The Rockets have won four straight against the Suns.
Writer’s Prediction
Harden drops a bucket load of points for the Rockets. Take Houston (+1.5) to win and cover on the road.
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