On Thursday, the New York Knicks (12-16 SU, 11-17 ATS) will travel to Houston to meet the Rockets (9-19 SU, 15-12-1 ATS) in a inter-conference matchup between two sputtering teams. Will the Knicks snap their four game losing streak? Or will Houston bounce back from an embarrassing loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday night?
New York Knicks vs. Houston Rockets Betting Lines and Odds
Sportsbook: BetUS
Over/Under: 214
Point spread: Rockets +5 (-110)
Moneyline: Rockets +170 , Knicks -200
New York Knicks vs. Houston Rockets Injury Report
For the Rockets, Eric Gordon (Groin), Danuel House (Ankle), Kevin Porter Jr. (Thigh) and Jalen Green (Hamstring) are out. Christian Wood (knee) is listed as questionable
For the Knicks, Kevin Knox, Obi Toppin and RJ Barrett are out due to the league’s health and safety protocols.
New York Knicks vs. Houston Rockets Preview
Rockets Cooling Off
Remember when the Rockets won 8 straight games? Since that 8 game winning streak, the Rockets are 1-3 and have given up an average of 122 points per game. Just last night, they were manhandled by the Cavaliers, losing 124-89.
To the Rockets credit, though, they did beat the Atlanta Hawks on the road Monday night. Their last three losses, including the Cavs, have come against the Bucks and the Grizzlies. Those are three far superior teams.
Nonetheless, the Rockets are 27th in adjusted offensive rating, 28th in adjusted defensive rating and 27th in adjusted net rating this season, per Dunks and Threes. This just isn’t a good team at the moment, but they have found ways to win games.
Knicks in Free Fall
These are not your 2020-2021 New York Knicks. In fact, they could not be further from the team they were last season.
Last season, New York was a defensive juggernaut, ranking 4th in adjusted defensive rating, 1st in opponent e3P%, 3rd in opponent mid-range FG%, 4th in opponent FG% at the rim and 2nd in opponent eFG%.
Turn the page to this season and, well, it’s ugly. The Knicks are currently 23rd in Adjusted Defensive Rating. And it’s not like they have made up for it by improving offensively, they are just the 19th best team in Offensive Rating this season.
The Knicks have lost four games in a row, and are 7-15 over their last 22 games after they started the season 5-1.
New York Knicks vs Houston Rockets Prediction
This is a game between two pretty bad teams, but there are some interesting trends. With a rest disadvantage this season, which the Rockets have in this game, Houston is 5-2-1 ATS. On the flip side, with a rest advantage the Knicks are 2-4 ATS.
Trends aside, I do like betting on teams that are fresh off embarrassment. The Rockets were in an obvious letdown spot last night after beating the Hawks in riveting fashion earlier in the week, and I like them to keep this game close at home as a prideful group.
Also, the Knicks are getting 64% of the bets but the line has come down from 5.5 all the way to 4.5 in some places. I’ll back the Rockets as home underdogs against a struggling and depleted Knicks team.
All betting lines were retrieved from BetUS. Click below to claim a free bet, if you’re a new customer.
