Rockets vs. Knicks Pick
Are the Houston Rockets going to handle the host New York Knicks Wednesday night at 8PM EST?
According to oddsmakers at Bovada.lv, the Rockets are a 5.5-point favorite to win on the spread line. The over-under is 213 points.
Houston holds a 5-3 record after a 115-107 home loss to the 76ers. New York comes in at 3-3, having won a third straight game with a 116-110 home win over the Nuggets. The Rockets won both meetings straight up last year and went 1-1 ATS. The over-under went 1-1.
In the loss to Philadelphia, James Harden led the way with 29 points along with seven assists and four steals. Eric Gordon scored 25 points. Clint Capela had 12 points and 15 rebounds. Ryan Anderson and Luc Mbah a Moute both scored 11 points. Houston was outscored by a combined 71-51 in the first and third quarters.
The Knicks were paced by Kristaps Porzingis as he poured in 38 points to go with seven rebounds and three blocked shots in the win over Denver. Kyle O’Quinn had 15 points and 12 boards off the bench. Tim Hardaway Jr. scored 13 points. Enes Kanter added 12 points and nine rebounds. New York led 65-43 at halftime and shot 41-of-82 from the floor in the contest.
Houston is 14-3 ATS in the last 17 meetings in New York. The over is 4-1 in the last five meetings.
The Knicks have looked great in their last couple games and the Rockets not so much, but a big key here is that Houston has defended power forwards the second-best in the NBA thus far this season and it could lead to a much quieter night from Porzingis than he has been putting up. It’s hard to count on the rest of the New York roster when Porzingis isn’t carrying the load. Take the Rockets here to race past the hosts.
NBA DAILY PREDICTION: HOUSTON ROCKETS -5.5