Houston Rockets 85 Mile Bus Ride Ends in Kings Win

The Rockets could not find a hotel in Sacramento on Sunday because the Lakers and Knicks had already booked all rooms, John Hollinger of The Athletic reports. With "every NBA team stays in the Sawyer Hotel in Sacramento," Houston bunked in San Francisco and endured an 85-mile bus ride to Golden 1 Center, then flew home after the game. That travel day ended in a 111-98 loss, snapping Sacramento’s seven-game skid and leaving the Rockets with extra miles on their legs. Merlin sees travel as a quiet opponent. When hotels cluster and off days are hoarded, one team gets rest while another fights logistics. Small scheduling edges can tilt outcomes, and teams will quietly adjust how they plan stops and requests. The league may grumble, but change is slow.