The Houston Rockets (39-20) will attempt to prolong their six-game winning streak against the New York Knicks (18-42) at Madison Square Garden. The game will air on ATTSN Southwest at 7 p.m. ET on Monday, March 2, 2020.
Houston opened as a 9.5-point favorite, while the Over/Under (O/U) for the game has been set at 230.5 points at Borgata Sportsbook.
Houston Rockets vs. New York Knicks ATS Prediction
The Rockets will be hoping for a similar result after just getting past the Boston Celtics in their last matchup, 111-110, as 2-point underdogs (at Borgata). The combined points for the game (221) came in just under the projected point total of 223. Houston held the Celtics to an effective field goal percentage of 0.455 (below their season average of 0.533). Boston, on the other hand, did a terrific job of converting from the charity stripe (19-25; 76.0 percent). With 41 points on 16-for-27 shooting, Russell Westbrook was the game’s high scorer.
In the Knicks’ last game, they were victorious over the Chicago Bulls, 125-115, easily covering as 2.5-point favorites. The game’s combined points (240) finished well over the O/U total of 208.5. The Knicks had a ridiculous offensive rebounding percentage of 45.9 (above their season average of 25.3) and had a free throw rate of 0.271 (above their season average of 0.177). Mitchell Robinson led New York in scoring with 23 points on 11-for-16 shooting from the field.
This will be the second game of the season between these two teams. In the first, James Harden scored a game-high 37 points and the Rockets defeated the Knicks 123-112 but could not cover as 13.5-point favorites. He also recorded nine assists and six rebounds. The game finished with a total of 235 points, which was 8 points above the projected point total of 227 points. The Rockets had a better turnover percentage (11.5 vs. 14.0) and had a better effective field goal percentage (0.593 vs. 0.500).
Houston comes into the game with records of 39-20 straight up (SU) and 31-28 against the spread (ATS). Of the Rockets’ 59 games, 33 have finished under the total.
Meanwhile, New York is 18-42 SU and 30-28-2 ATS. Much like Houston, games involving the Knicks also have typically gone under the projected point total (55.0 percent).
Expect New York to own the offensive glass in this battle. The Knicks rank first in offensive rebounding percentage (25.6 percent), while Houston ranks 24th in defensive rebounding percentage (75.9 percent). Also, the third-ranked offense of the Rockets (offensive efficiency of 112.0) will attempt to take advantage of the 23rd-ranked defense of the Knicks (defensive efficiency of 111.2).
Houston Rockets at New York Knicks Betting Pick
Prediction: ATS Winner – Rockets, O/U – Under
Betting Trends
On the road, Houston is 16-14 ATS with 19 unders and 11 overs.
New York is 14-14-1 ATS at home with 18 unders, 10 overs and 1 push.
Houston is 3-0 when they allow under 100 points, while New York is 7-3.
When scoring over 100 points, the Knicks are 15-26 and the Rockets are 39-17.
Houston ranks first in three pointers attempted per game (44.4) while New York ranks 28th (28.8).
The Knicks average 15.3 second chance points per game, which ranks first in the league. The Rockets rank 24th in second chance points allowed per game (13.8).
Houston ranks eighth in fast break points per game (14.9) while New York ranks 29th (9.4).
The Knicks average 46.3 rebounds per game, which ranks sixth in the league. The Rockets rank 27th in rebounds allowed per game (46.9).
New York ranks fourth in points allowed in the paint per game (43.7) while Houston ranks 24th (51.6).
The Rockets average 18.4 points off turnovers per game, which ranks sixth in the league. The Knicks rank 21st in points off turnovers allowed per game (17.6).
Houston averages 5.2 blocks per game, which ranks 11th in the NBA. New York ranks 19th in blocks allowed per game (5.1).
The Rockets rank seventh in steals per game (8.4) while the Knicks rank 10th in steals allowed per game (7.1).
New York is 27th in the NBA with 21.9 assists per game while Houston is 28th with 21.4 assists per game.
In its last five games, Houston is 4-1 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders.
New York is 2-3 ATS with 4 overs and 1 under over its last five games.
The Rockets’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 16.0, up from 4.7 for the season.
During their last five games, the Knicks have scored an average of 108.4 points per game (3.3 above their season average) and allowed an average of 113.2 points per game (1.4 above their season average).
