Knicks vs Rockets Picks, Predictions & Odds Tonight

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12 February 2024

Knicks vs Rockets Picks, Predictions & Odds Tonight

With Julius Randle and OG Anunoby out of the lineup, the secondary scoring burden has fallen on Donte DiVincenzo's shoulders — and he's delivered. Against a shaky Rockets defense, our NBA picks expect his run of good games to continue tonight.

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The Houston Rockets’ postseason hopes are fading fast and they’ll try to halt a four-game skid as they take on the banged-up New York Knicks tonight.

Dealing with injuries of their own, including key man Fred VanVleet, the Rockets are tagged as home underdogs in the latest NBA odds and are coming off more road woes with back-to-back losses to the Raptors and Hawks.

The Knicks will again be without Julius Randle and OG Anunoby, and they’ve dropped two in a row to slip to the No. 4 spot in the East. They lost 125-111 at home to the Pacers on Saturday despite 39 points from Jalen Brunson.

NBA picks as these two teams chase a much-needed win in H-Town tonight.

Knicks vs Rockets odds

Knicks vs Rockets predictions

It’s been “next man up” mode for the New York Knicks lately with key starters sidelined, and Tom Thibodeau is searching for more scoring to take some of the pressure off Jalen Brunson’s shoulders.

Donte DiVincenzo has answered that call, averaging 29 points over a six-game stretch before finally cooling off against the Pacers in a 6-for-15 effort. Until the Knicks get Randle back from his shoulder injury, DiVincenzo is the No. 2 offensive option and he’s embraced the bright green light.

Though the deadline day deal for Bojan Bogdanovic and Alec Burks gives the visitors more scoring punch, DiVincenzo still has a path to 20 shots, especially in lineups that include more reluctant shooters like Josh Hart or Taj Gibson.

He’s taken 15 or more triples four times in his last seven games, and he’s hitting his 3-pointers at a 42% clip this season.

The Houston Rockets haven’t looked like a potential playoff team this month and gave up 52 points to Atlanta's Dejounte Murray and Trae Young on Saturday. There’s been more slippage on the defensive end of the floor, especially in the games that VanVleet has missed.

That opens the door for New York to win the backcourt battle. DiVincenzo is in line for big minutes again here and I like the NBA odds for the Over on his points prop, having reached 20 points in six of the last seven contests.

My best bet: Donte DiVincenzo Over 19.5 points (-110 at bet365)

Knicks vs Rockets same-game parlay

Donte DiVincenzo Over 19.5 points

Jalen Brunson Over 6.5 assists

Knicks -4.5

I’m sticking with the visitors and adding a Brunson prop. The Knicks All-Star took on more of the scoring against Indiana, but he’s been putting up impressive assist numbers too, including a bumper January where he averaged almost eight dimes per game.

He’s had 7+ assists in five of his last seven outings, and I see him pulling the strings tonight and using his veteran savvy against Jalen Green and Amen Thompson.

I’m also picking the Knicks to cover the spread. Yes, Houston is a strong home team, but it’s a less daunting task for New York here with the hosts in a rut and possibly missing Alperen Sengun as well as VanVleet and Cam Whitmore.

Plus, the Knicks have owned this matchup in recent years, winning the last eight meetings and covering the spread in seven of those contests.

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Knicks vs Rockets spread and Over/Under analysis

With the gap widening between the Rockets and a coveted play-in spot, cracks are starting to appear. The hosts start the day three games adrift of 10th place in the West.

Though Houston’s struggles have largely come away from Toyota Center, with a dismal 5-20 road mark, Ime Udoka’s men have lost five of their last six contests overall.

I’m not swayed by the Rockets’ 18-9 record at home, particularly against a New York team that’s 5-1 in their past six road games. I see the visitors’ guards having the upper hand along with a more efficient night for Bogdanovic, who missed seven of 10 shots in his debut.

The Under is 7-3 in the Knicks’ last 10 outings, and key injuries have pulled the total line down to 221.5. Even so, the Over feels like a stretch. New York has been held below 110 points three times already this month, while Houston’s offense has been wildly erratic.

The hosts scored 135 points against the Raptors on February 2 but were held to just 90 points by the Timberwolves two days later.

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Knicks vs Rockets betting trend to know

As you would expect from a Thibodeau team, the Knicks are very comfortable in physical, low-scoring scraps. They’ve cashed the Under in 21 of their last 28 games. Find more NBA betting trends for Knicks vs. Rockets.

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