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Howard, Rockets welcome Cousins, Kings

Jan 22, 2014 - 3:26 PM (SportsNetwork.com) - Dwight Howard and the Houston Rockets will resume their five-game homestand Wednesday versus the Sacramento Kings.

Wednesday's matchup features a pair of talented big men in Howard and Kings center DeMarcus Cousins. Howard has scored 20 or more points in consecutive games (17 total) and has posted four double-doubles in his past five contests.

Cousins has ripped off 15 straight double-doubles, the longest streak in the NBA this season.

Houston has won seven of its last nine games and is 2-1 on the homestand after Monday's 126-113 win over the Portland Trail Blazers. Howard ended with 24 points and 12 rebounds, while Chandler Parsons scored a season-high 31 points to go with 10 rebounds and seven assists.

James Harden had 22 points, six rebounds and five assists, and Patrick Beverly returned from a 14-game absence due to a broken hand and scored 17 points in just under 29 minutes.

"Patrick gave us a huge lift. I thought his defense was tremendous. Patrick just brings a little bit of swagger," said Rockets coach Kevin McHale. "He has no agenda when he plays besides play hard."

The Rockets scored 71 points in the first half and made 10-of-13 3-pointers. The 126 points were a season-high for Houston, which improved to 17-6 at home and will also host Memphis on the residency.

Rockets forward Terrence Jones (thigh) is questionable versus Sacramento and is posting an average of 11.6 points and 7.7 rebounds this season.

Meanwhile, the Kings will put the finishing touches on a six-game road trip (2-3) and posted a 114-97 win at New Orleans on Tuesday thanks to Rudy Gay's career high-tying 41 points on 16-of-25 scoring. He made 5-of-8 3-pointers to go along with eight rebounds and five assists.

"He put on a show coming off a game where he didn't play well," said Kings coach Mike Malone. "I think he wanted to bounce back and show everyone what he's capable of."

Isaiah Thomas added 20 points and 11 assists, while Cousins finished with 18 points, 11 rebounds and four blocks for the Kings, who are 6-12 away from home.

Sacramento, which shot 51.2 percent for the game and recorded a season-best 10 blocks, will play two in a row at home versus Indiana and Denver this weekend.

The Kings have beaten the Rockets twice already this season, but are just 5-10 in the last 15 meetings between the two teams. Sacramento has lost 11 of 15 trips to Space City.