What happened: Sacramento Kings defeated the Houston Rockets 135-128 at Golden 1 Center. Malik Monk led the bench with a season-high 32 points, including 7 made threes and 6 assists. The win improves Kings' record to 42-32.

Why it matters: Monk's performance highlights his value as a sixth man, easing pressure on starters amid Kings' push for play-in avoidance. It impacts betting to win West per recent lines. Historically, Monk's 7 threes tie his career high, signaling breakout potential.

What to watch: Watch Monk's role in Kings' next game vs. Warriors; monitor if his hot shooting sustains amid playoff crunch.