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The league's most Jekyll and Hyde team, the Houston Rockets, visit the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. The Rockets look like a completely different team at home vs. on the road, and a trip to The Mecca won't be easy for Houston's young group. It is time to continue our NBA odds series with a Rockets-Knicks prediction, pick, and how-to-watch.
The Rockets bolstered their lineup with the return of Dillon Brooks on January 13th, but the team dropped two consecutive games to the Celtics and 76ers. They are taking a tour through the Eastern Conference gauntlet, with their game against the Knicks being the fifth against the Eastern Conference's top-nine. The Rockets are 1-4 on the Eastern swing, with their only win coming in a close two-point game against the Pistons. Alperen Sengun is performing well at center, averaging 21.6 points and 8.9 rebounds per game.
The Knicks lost two of their last three games after winning five in a row. They were the favorites in losses to Orlando and Dallas, which has sent them down the Eastern Conference standings. The Knicks are 6-4 and hold an identical record against the spread. They have an opportunity to string together some wins, with their upcoming schedule being Houston, Washington, Toronto, and Brooklyn. The Knicks have recent success against the Rockets, winning seven straight. The Rockets' last victory was in the James Harden era, on February 24th, 2020. They haven't won at Madison Square Garden since 2019.
Here are the NBA odds, courtesy of FanDuel.
NBA Odds: Rockets-Knicks Odds
Houston Rockets: +5 (-110)
Moneyline: (+165)
New York Knicks: -5 (-110)
Moneyline: (-200)
Over: 220.5 (-110)
Under: 220.5 (-110)
How to Watch Rockets vs. Knicks
Time: 7:30 PM ET/4:30 PM PT
TV: MSG
Article Continues Below
Stream: fuboTV (Click for free trial)
Why The Rockets Could Cover The Spread
There aren't many things going for the Rockets in this matchup. They have been terrible against the Knicks over the past few seasons and are just as bad on the road. The one hope for the Rockets is that their elite defense can show up and shut down the Knicks. The Knicks have the potential to put forth some poor offensive efforts, and the Rockets can limit an opponent's offensive efficiency. However, if we're being honest, the stats are screaming to take the Knicks here.
Why The Knicks Could Cover The Spread
The Rockets haven't performed well against the Knicks over the last couple of seasons, with the Knicks' game plan causing the team fits and forcing numerous blowouts. The Knicks lost two of their past three, but before that, they had won five in a row convincingly. A challenging road matchup with the Dallas Mavericks and a poor offensive performance against the pesky Magic are the only things standing in the way of a lengthy winning streak. This is a perfect spot for the Knicks to get back on track, as the Rockets have an abysmal 4-14 record on the road. The Rockets are also 4-6 over their last ten games and covered in just three.
The Rockets boast one of the best defensive teams in the league, bolstered by the return of Dillon Brooks. However, they are considerably worse on the road, and Brooks may not be at 100% yet. In the two games since Brooks' return, the Rockets lost both and allowed 269 points combined.
Final Rockets-Knicks Prediction & Pick
Sometimes, a team has their opponent's number. That is the case for the New York Knicks and the Houston Rockets. These teams only play twice each season, but the Knicks have figured them out. The Knicks are winners of seven straight, dating back to March 2nd, 2020. The last time the Rockets beat the Knicks was on February 24th, 2020, when James Harden was still at the peak of his powers. It isn't just in the win/loss column where the Knicks dominate, as they also covered in eight of the last ten matchups. This stat is even more impressive since the odds made the Knicks heavy favorites over the Rockets in many of those games. The Knicks aren't just beating the Rockets. They are blowing them out.
The Rockets' disparity in their play at home and on the road is also a reason to back the Knicks. The Rockets look like two completely different teams, depending on where they play, and the Knicks are 11-5 at Madison Square Garden this season.
Final Rockets-Knicks Prediction & Pick: Knicks -5 (-110)
