The New York Knicks will play the Houston Rockets on Thursday in an inter-conference matchup. It's time to continue our NBA odds series with a Knicks-Rockets prediction and pick.
The Knicks and Rockets will meet on Thursday as New York will look to snap their four-game losing streak. Houston has now lost three of their last four after a seven-game win streak, and will be looking to avoid a further slide in this one. The Knicks and Julius Randle continue to struggle this season, as they now sit 12th in the East with a 12-16 record. The Rockets are 9-19 and 13th in the Western Conference entering play on Thursday. Despite being on the road as well as on a losing streak, the Knicks are road favorites over the Rockets in this one.
Here is how FanDuel has set the Knicks-Rockets odds for this Thursday NBA matchup.
NBA Odds: Knicks-Rockets Odds
New York Knicks -5 (-110)
Houston Rockets +5 (-110)
Over 214.5 (-112)
Under 214.5 (-108)
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Why The Knicks Could Cover The Spread
The Knicks will have the rest advantage in this one as the Rockets will be on the second game of a back-to-back. Houston was blown out by the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday. New York should be desperate for a win in this spot as losers of their last four. Houston has been feisty of late, however, and the Knicks are really struggling. They should be able to win, but laying points on the road with New York right now does feel a bit risky. The Rockets have won seven of their last ten games, and are capable of hanging around and keeping things close. The Knicks have a negative point differential for the season and have not shown any signs of trending in a positive direction.
Julius Randle will continue to be the lead guy for the Knicks. Derrick Rose has been inserted into the starting lineup as the Knicks are doing anything to find a spark. New York is 2-8 in their last 10 games and is at risk of digging themselves a hole in the standings if they don't turn things around soon. The Knicks are 7-6 on the road this season and 11-17 against the spread overall.
Why The Rockets Could Cover The Spread
Houston has been scrappy of late, and this could be another spot for an upset win or at least a cover. The Rockets were blown out by Cleveland on Wednesday, so no one had to play a ton of stressful minutes late into the game. Houston did have to travel back home after the loss, but they should in theory be fresher than if they played a full hard-fought game on the front end of the back-to-back. Eric Gordon did not play at all Wednesday in the loss, while coach Stephen Silas said Gordon should be able to play Thursday vs. the Knicks.
The Rockets are a sneaky play in this spot as the home underdog vs. a struggling New York group. The Rockets are still without Christian Wood, as something to note when making this pick. Houston is 7-6 at home so far this season and 15-12-1 vs. the spread overall.
Final Knicks-Rockets Prediction & Pick
Take the points and the Rockets in this spot. New York is struggling of late, while the Rockets have been trending upwards despite a lousy performance on Wednesday night.
Final Knicks-Rockets prediction & pick: Rockets +5 (-110)
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