Saturday, December 31, 2016

Toyota Center

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The New York Knicks travel to Toyota Center to play the Houston Rockets on Saturday, December 31, 2016. The opening line for this matchup has Houston as 9 point favorites. The Knicks come into this game with an overall record of 16-15. They are 3rd in the Atlantic Division. They currently have a point differential of -2.4 as they are averaging 105.4 points per game while giving up 107.7 per contest. The Rockets have an overall record of 24-9. They currently are 2nd in the Southwest Division. They are averaging 113.8 points per game and surrendering 106.4, good for a point differential of 7.3.

Carmelo Anthony comes into this contest averaging 22.3 points per game while playing 33.6 minutes per night so far this season for the Knicks. He pulls down 6 rebounds per game and dishes out 2.8 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 43% while his free throw percentage is currently at 88%. Kristaps Porzingis averages 20.1 points per game in 34.6 minutes per contest this season. He averages 1.3 assists per contest and 7.7 rebounds per game for New York. His field goal percentage is 45% for the year while his free throw percentage is 78%.

James Harden averages 27.7 points per game while playing 36.3 minutes per contest this year for the Rockets. He grabs 7.8 rebounds per game and has 11.9 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 44% and his free throw percentage currently is at 84%. Eric Gordon averages 17.4 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 30.5 minutes per contest. He also averages 2.6 rebounds per contest and 2.9 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 43% and his free throw percentage is 83%.

New York averages 105.4 points per contest this season which ranks them 12th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is -2.4 and their shooting percentage is 44% as a team which has them ranked 21st. Behind the arc they shoot 36% which is good for 9th in the league. They average 54.5 rebounds per game and 21.7 assists per game which ranks them 6th and 18th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 18th with 14.2 per game. The Knicks allow 107.7 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 25th in the league. They also allow a 45% shooting percentage and a 35% average from behind the arc ranking them 12th and 8th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 54.3 rebounds a game which ranks 25th and they give up 21.7 assists per contest which puts them in 10th place in the league. They force 13.2 turnovers per game which ranks them 22nd in the league.

Houston averages 113.8 points per game this year which ranks them 2nd in the league. Their average scoring margin is 7.3 and their shooting percentage is 47% as a team which has them sitting in the 5th spot in the league. Behind the arc they shoot 38% which is good for 5th in the NBA. They average 53.6 rebounds per game and 25.5 assists per contest which ranks them 9th and 2nd respectively. In the turnover department the Rockets rank 26th with 16.1 per game. The Rockets allow 106.4 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 23rd in the league. They also allow a 45% shooting percentage and a 36% average from behind the arc ranking them 16th and 22nd in those defensive statistics. Opponents average 51.1 rebounds a game which ranks 8th and they give up 21.7 assists per contest which puts them in 11th place in the league. The Rockets force 14.7 turnovers per game which ranks them 10th in the NBA.

The Knicks have an offensive rating of 107.7 and a defensive rating of 110.1. In terms of pace they average 96.9 possessions per 48 minutes and their effective field goal percentage is 49%. As a team they have a true shooting percentage of 53% and they shoot 3 pointers on 28% of their shots. New York turns the ball over an average of 12.6 times per 100 possessions and they force 11.8 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 50%.

The Rockets rating on offense is 115 and they have a defensive rating of 107.6. They get 98 possessions per 48 minutes and they have an effective field goal percentage of 55%. As a unit they have a true shooting percentage of 59% and they attempt 3 pointers on 45% of their shot attempts. Houston turns the ball over on 14.2 out of every 100 possessions and their opponents average 13.2 turnovers per 100 possessions. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the year is 51%.

New York Knicks Betting Trends

The New York Knicks are 19-12-0 against the spread

The New York Knicks are 16-15-0 against the over/under

Houston Rockets Betting Trends

The Houston Rockets are 22-11-0 against the spread

The Houston Rockets are 18-15-0 against the over/under

New York Knicks Injuries

12/30/16 F Maurice Ndour Ankle is downgraded to expected to miss Friday vs. New Orleans
12/29/16 F Carmelo Anthony Disciplinary probable Friday vs. New Orleans
12/29/16 G Courtney Lee Wrist "?" Friday vs. New Orleans

Houston Rockets Injuries

12/29/16 PG Patrick Beverley Quad is upgraded to probable Friday vs. LA Clippers
12/19/16 C Clint Capela Fibula out indefinitely

Tony's Pick: Take Houston -9

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