The Houston Rockets (36-20) will be 14-point favorites at home in the Toyota Center when they meet the New York Knicks (17-39). The game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 229.5 points and it can be seen on ATTSN Southwest at 8 p.m. ET on Monday, February 24, 2020.
New York Knicks at Houston Rockets Betting Odds
In the Rockets’ last game, they defeated the Utah Jazz, 120-110, despite being 2-point underdogs. The Knicks, meanwhile, were beat by the Indiana Pacers, 106-98, and were unable to cover as 6.5-point underdogs. The Houston game went 2.5 points under the projected point total of 232.5, while the New York game went 8.5 points under the projected point total of 212.5.
The Rockets had 9 steals and had an effective field goal percentage of 0.598 (above their season average of 0.537). New York, meanwhile, made 11 of their 25 three pointers (44.0 percent). James Harden had a good performance for Houston with 38 points, seven assists and five rebounds. New York, meanwhile, rallied around Bobby Portis, who recorded 19 points and six rebounds.
The Rockets dominated this series last year, winning both contests. In the most recent game, Houston won 120-96. The Rockets’ turnover percentage was their biggest strength over the Knicks. Houston had a rate of 5.2, while New York posted a mark of 13.8. This is the first time these teams will clash this year.
Knicks games have a tendency to go under the total (58.9 percent). New York holds records of 17-39 straight up (SU) and 28-26-2 against the spread (ATS).
Coinciding with New York, games featuring the Rockets also tend to go under the projected point total (57.1 percent). Further, Houston is 36-20 SU and 29-27 ATS.
The high-powered offense of Houston will clash against the porous defense of New York. The Rockets currently rank third in offensive efficiency, while the Knicks are 23rd in defensive efficiency. The Rockets figure to have the advantage on that side of the ball. Also, the Knicks rank first in offensive rebounding percentage (25.2 percent), while the Rockets rank 22nd in defensive rebounding percentage (76.4 percent).
Knicks vs. Rockets ATS Pick
Free Prediction: SU Winner – Rockets, ATS Winner – Knicks, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- The Rockets rank 14th in blocks per game (5.0) while the Knicks rank 18th in blocks allowed per game (5.1).
- Houston ranks first in three pointers attempted per game (44.0) while New York ranks 28th (29.3).
- The Rockets rank eighth in fast break points per game (14.6) while the Knicks rank 29th (9.6).
- New York averages 46.3 rebounds per game, which ranks sixth in the league. Houston ranks 26th in rebounds allowed per game (46.6).
- New York ranks 14th in assists allowed per game (24.2) while Houston ranks 25th (25.5).
- The Knicks average 15.0 second chance points per game, which ranks first in the league. The Rockets rank 24th in second chance points allowed per game (13.8).
- The Rockets rank sixth in points off turnovers per game (18.3) while the Knicks rank 21st in points off turnovers allowed per game (17.4).
- New York ranks 15th in steals per game (7.7) while Houston ranks 16th in steals allowed per game (7.8).
- New York ranks fourth in points allowed in the paint per game (43.4) while Houston ranks 25th (51.6).
- Houston is 3-0 when they hold opponents below 100 points, while New York is 7-3.
- The Rockets are 36-17 when they score over 100 points, while the Knicks are 14-23.
- New York is 15-12-1 ATS on the road, while Houston is 14-13 ATS at home.
- The total has gone under in 15 of the Knicks’ 28 road games, while 14 of the Rockets’ 27 home games have gone under.
Bettings Trends:
- The Rockets are 3-2 ATS over their last five games, while the Knicks are 2-2-1.
- In their last five games, Houston has 4 unders and 1 over, while New York has 3 unders, 1 over and 1 push.
- During their last five games, the Rockets have scored an average of 115.0 points per game (3.5 below their season average) and allowed an average of 112.2 points per game (2.0 below their season average).
- The Knicks’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 5.2, down from 7.0 for the season.
