The Houston Rockets will remain short-handed for the immediate future, with at least two starters and possibly a third sidelined for Saturday’s game at Madison Square Garden versus the New York Knicks.
Star big man Christian Wood remains sidelined indefinitely with a right ankle sprain, while veteran guard Victor Oladipo is out for the time being with a right foot injury. Even defensive ace PJ Tucker, who has the NBA’s longest active streak of consecutive games played at 266, is questionable with a left thigh contusion. Given all those injuries, it’s not a huge shock that Houston enters Saturday on a four-game losing streak.
Eric Gordon will again start in place of Oladipo. If the signing of young big man Ray Spalding is completed before Saturday’s game, he could provide additional frontcourt depth behind DeMarcus Cousins.
Should Tucker (questionable) not be able to play and lose his consecutive games streak, reserve forward Danuel House Jr. would appear to be the most likely candidate to start in Tucker’s place.
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The lines, courtesy of BetMGM
- Point spread: Rockets +1.5 (-115), Knicks -1.5 (-105)
- Moneyline: Rockets -105/Knicks -115
- Over-under: 212.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
- Player O/U Scoring Props: John Wall 21.5 (-110 O, -110 U), Eric Gordon 21.5 (+100, -125 U); New York TBD
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Saturday’s starters for New York (12-15) are expected to be Elfrid Payton, RJ Barrett, Reggie Bullock, Julius Randle, and Nerlens Noel. Meanwhile, Stephen Silas will counter with John Wall, Eric Gordon, Jae’Sean Tate, PJ Tucker and DeMarcus Cousins for the Rockets (11-14).
If there’s any break for Stephen Silas and the Rockets, it’s that the Knicks will be on the second night of a back-to-back — and in two different cities, having played in Washington on Friday. So there’s at least the opportunity for some tired legs, or perhaps for New York coach Tom Thibodeau to consider a maintenance plan. The Knicks also lost starting center Mitchell Robinson on Friday to a fractured right hand, which will force Thibodeau to dip into his bench for a replacement starter.
Advice and prediction
The over-under total of 212.5 feels slightly low, given that New York will be on the second night of a split back-to-back and Houston will be missing key defenders in Oladipo, Wood, and possibly Tucker.
Prediction: 109-106, Rockets
Get more betting analysis and predictions at Sportsbook Wire.
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