The New York Knicks (18-18) visit the Houston Rockets (10-25) Saturday in a battle of struggling teams. Tip-off from Toyota Center is set for 7 p.m. ET. Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Knicks vs. Rockets odds, and make our expert NBA picks and predictions.
The Knicks are on a 5-game losing streak that started after their Dec. 20 win vs. the Warriors and has continued through their last game Thursday night. That game saw the Knicks take a 122-115 loss to the Spurs despite F Julius Randle’s 41 points. Randle was helped by G Immanuel Quickley and his 36 points, but besides them, only one other Knick scored in double figures, and that is what led to that loss.
The Rockets are on a 2-game losing streak that includes a Thursday night loss to Dallas in a 129-114 outing. The Rockets are coming into this game off a 3-game road trip and are looking to start this home stint off with a win vs. a struggling Knicks squad. For Houston the same issues have plagued them all year, poor shooting percentages, turnovers and inconsistency, and those issues carried over into that loss vs. Dallas.
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Knicks at Rockets odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 9:35 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Knicks -180 (bet $180 to win $100) | Rockets +155 (bet $100 to win $155)
- Against the spread (ATS): Knicks -4.5 (-110) | Rockets +4.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 223.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
Knicks at Rockets key injuries
Knicks
- G RJ Barrett (finger) out
- G Jalen Brunson (groin) questionable
- F Obi Toppin (fibula) out
Rockets
- G Jae’Sean Tate (ankle) out
For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.
Knicks at Rockets picks and predictions
Prediction
Knicks 113, Rockets 107
Moneyline
AVOID.
The Knicks should win this game but I am not a fan of such a strong moneyline for an away team that has lost 5 straight games. The risk of betting on the Knicks is not worth the reward and I would not advise betting on the Rockets because there is a reason they are an underdog at home vs. a team that has been struggling lately.
Against the spread
BET KNICKS -4.5 (-110).
The Knicks are the better of the teams here and are also the more proven team. Even though the Knicks still have problems they need to address they still have more talent, more veteran leadership, and more experience than this young Rockets squad. The Rockets make a lot of mistakes and are often careless as a team, as their record shows, and look for the Knicks to come out hot in this one as they look to end their losing streak.
Over/Under
LEAN UNDER 223.5 (-110).
Both of these teams are very mediocre offensively and defensively and neither team has proven their ability to consistently put up points. For the Knicks, even their best players are inconsistent and streaky. For the Rockets, their best players are all highly talented, but young and have a lot to learn. The Rockets are one of the more unpredictable teams in the NBA because of their potential to score while simultaneously making a ton of mistakes.
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