Inside The Rockets

What's at Stake for Rockets in NBA Cup Game vs. Kings?

The Houston Rockets play their final NBA Cup group game against the Sacramento Kings.

Jeremy Brener

Mar 10, 2024; Sacramento, California, USA; Houston Rockets guard Jalen Green (4) dribbles against the Sacramento Kings during the fourth quarter at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
Mar 10, 2024; Sacramento, California, USA; Houston Rockets guard Jalen Green (4) dribbles against the Sacramento Kings during the fourth quarter at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images / Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
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The Houston Rockets are already through to the quarterfinals of the Emirates NBA Cup after winning West Group A following the team's victory against the Minnesota Timberwolves. However, there is still something to play for tonight against the Sacramento Kings.

A win would almost certainly give the Rockets the No. 1 seed in the West, giving them a home game for the quarterfinals. The Golden State Warriors are No. 2 with a perfect 3-0 record so far, but their +12 point differential pales in comparison to Houston's +49.

Therefore, a win would pit the Rockets against the West Wild Card, which will likely be the Dallas Mavericks.

The Mavs lost a tight game last month to the Warriors, which puts them in second place in West Group C. However, a 41-point win against the New Orleans Pelicans has given them the lead in the point differential category. That means a win against the Memphis Grizzlies tonight would likely clinch them the Wild Card, and a date with the Rockets (assuming they beat the Kings) in the quarterfinals to punch a ticket to Las Vegas.

There are other teams in the hunt, specifically the 2-1 Phoenix Suns, San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder, all of whom are fighting to win West Group B. The Spurs are in if they beat the Suns, while the Thunder are in with a win and a Phoenix win. The Suns get in with a win and a Utah Jazz win over the Thunder.

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Jeremy Brener
JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.

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