Rockets vs Knicks Prediction NBA Picks 1/17/24

New York Knicks (23-17) vs Houston Rockets (19-20)

Game Info: Wednesday, January 17, 2024 at 7:30 pm (Madison Square Garden)

Betting Odds: New York Knicks -4.5 -- Over/Under:

The Houston Rockets travel to Madison Square Garden to battle the New York Knicks on Wednesday night. Here’s a Rockets vs Knicks Prediction.

Houston Rockets

The Houston Rockets have been in a rut as they've lost four of their last five games overall and they will be hoping to snap a two-game skid after getting beaten by the 76ers in a 124-115 road defeat on Monday. Jalen Green led the team with 20 points, Alperen Sengun added 19 points with nine rebounds and six assists while Dillon Brooks chipped in with 18 points on seven of nine shooting. As a team, the Rockets shot 50 percent from the field and eight of 27 from the 3-point line as they got off to a terrible start and were always fighting an uphill battle after scoring just 19 points in the first quarter, falling behind by 19 points going into halftime. The Rockets will meet the Jazz after this one.

Houston Rockets Player Facts

• Fred VanVleet ranks 5th amongst qualified players for assists per game (8.5) this season.
• Alperen Sengun ranks 4th amongst qualified Centers for assists per game (4.8) this season.

New York Knicks

Meanwhile, the New York Knicks have been in fine form as they've won six of their last eight games overall, but they will be hoping to bounce back in this one after coming up painfully short to the Magic in a 98-94 loss on Monday. Miles McBride stepped up for the injured Jalen Brunson and led the team with 20 points, OG Anunoby added 17 points while Julius Randle chipped in with 15 points, six rebounds and five assists. As a team, the Knicks shot just 39 percent from the field and 13 of 40 from the 3-point line as they worked hard to claw their way back from a 12-point deficit, only to go ice-cold and score just 16 points in the fourth quarter to fall just short in the end.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Knicks ranks 1st in the league for rebound percentage this season (52.9%).
• The Knicks rank 2nd in the league for opponent rebounds per game this season (40.7).
• The Rockets rank 2nd in the league for opponent field goals made per game this season (39.7).
• The Rockets rank 3rd in the league for opponent free throw percentage this season (75.2%).

Rockets vs Knicks Prediction

The Rockets are still a bit shorthanded with Tari Eason out and Reggie Bullock listed as questionable, while the Knicks are keeping eyes on Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart who are both questionable. The Rockets are in need of a win to get out the rut that they're in, and they could be in luck if Brunson sits out again as the Knicks aren't nearly as dangerous without him. This is a close one to pick, but I'll take the Knicks with my fingers crossed that Brunson is fit.

The pick in this article is the opinion of the writer, not a PickDawgz site consensus.