NBA Basketball Odds: Houston vs. Sacremento

Houston Rockets forward Ron Artest talks with referee Mark Wunderlich during a basketball game in Houston on Tuesday. (AP Images)"]

Ron Artest returns to Sacramento for the first time since the trade and the Houston Rockets look to use the opener of a favorable two-game road trip to improve their playoff position tonight when they meet the league-worst Kings.

Since Tracy McGrady's last game Feb. 9, Artest is averaging 19.3 points in 26 straight starts. The Rockets are 19-7 in that stretch.

Artest may be even more valuable defensively. He helped the Rockets hold Orlando to its lowest point total in nearly two months in a 93-83 victory Tuesday night. The Magic shot 38.0 percent from the field.

Without Artest, this year's Kings may not have enough to keep up with the Rockets. They've given up 113.3 points per game while losing seven of their last eight at home.

Yao Ming has averaged 27.0 points and 12.0 rebounds while shooting 61.3 percent from the field against the Kings this season. Head to the Bodog Sportsbook for the best in NBA betting.