Houston Rockets at New York Knicks NBA Picks & Predictions 10/9/2017

Monday, October 9, 2017

Madison Square Garden

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Houston Rockets travel to Madison Square Garden to play the New York Knicks on Monday, October 9, 2017.

The Rockets head into this matchup after finishing last year with a mark of 55-27. They were 2nd in the Southwest Division. They had a point differential of 5.7 as they averaged 115.3 points per contest while giving up 109.6 per game. The Knicks had an overall mark of 31-51 last year. They were 3rd in the Atlantic Division. They averaged 104.3 points per contest and gave up 108.0, which was a point differential of -3.7.

Valuable Houston Rockets Betting Trends

The Houston Rockets were 42-39-1 against the spread last season

The Houston Rockets were 41-40-1 against the over/under last year

Important New York Knicks Betting Trends

The New York Knicks were 42-40-0 against the spread last season

The New York Knicks were 39-43-0 against the over/under last year

Key Houston Rockets Injuries

10/6/2017 Sam Dekker SF Undisclosed Questionable for start of season
10/4/2017 Ryan Anderson F Hip Questionable for start of season
10/3/2017 Tarik Black F Knee Questionable for start of season
10/2/2017 Cam Oliver F Hand Expected to be out until at least Oct 30

Key New York Knicks Injuries

10/6/2017 Ron Baker G Ankle Questionable for start of season
10/6/2017 Luke Kornet F Hamstring Questionable for start of season
10/6/2017 Mindaugas Kuzminskas F Calf Questionable for start of season
10/6/2017 Kristaps Porzingis F Rest Questionable for start of season
10/5/2017 Frank Ntilikina G Knee Questionable for start of season
4/13/2017 Joakim Noah C Suspension Expected to be out until at least Nov 20

Player Spotlight

James Harden comes into this contest after averaging 29.1 points per game while playing 36.4 minutes per night last season. He pulled down 8.1 rebounds per game and dished out 11.2 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage was 44% while his free throw percentage finished at 85%. Chris Paul averaged 18.1 points per game in 31.5 minutes per contest last season. He averaged 9.2 assists per contest and 5 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage was 48% for the year while his free throw percentage was 89%.

Player Spotlight

Kristaps Porzingis averaged 18.1 points per game while playing 32.8 minutes per contest last year. He grabbed 7.2 rebounds per game and had 1.5 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage was 45% and his free throw percentage was at 79%. Enes Kanter averaged 14.3 points per game last season and he saw the court an average of 21.3 minutes per contest. He also averaged 6.7 rebounds per contest and 0.9 assists per game. His field goal percentage was 55% and his free throw percentage was 79%.

Useful Team Statistics

Houston averaged 115.3 points per contest last season, which ranked them 2nd in the NBA. Their average scoring margin was 5.77 and their shooting percentage was 46% as a team, which had them ranked 12th. Behind the arc they shot 36% which was good for 15th in the league. They averaged 44.4 rebounds per game and 25.2 assists per game, which ranked them 8th and 4th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they ranked 6th with 15.1 per game. The Rockets allowed 109.6 points per game to their opponents which ranked them 26th in the league. They also allowed a 46% shooting percentage and a 34% average from behind the arc, ranking them 23rd and 3rd in those defensive categories. Opponents averaged 44.1 rebounds a game which ranked 19th and they gave up 24.1 assists per contest, which put them in 26th place in the league. They forced 15.1 turnovers per game which ranked them 26th in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

New York was 19th in the league with 104.3 points per game last year. They were 23rd in the league in shooting at 45%, while their average scoring margin was -3.67. They shot 35% from 3-point range, which was good for 21st in the NBA. They were 5th in the league in rebounding with 45.2 boards per game, and 19th in assists per contest with 21.8. The Knicks were 14th in turnovers per game with 13.9. The Knicks surrendered 108 points per contest, which ranked them 23rd in the NBA. Their defense allowed a 46% shooting percentage and a 35% average from 3-point range, ranking them 12th and 7th in those defensive statistics. They ranked 8th with 21.8 assists allowed per contest and 26th with 44.7 rebounds surrendered per game. The Knicks were 6th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 12.9 per game last season.

Advanced Statistics

Houston was 7th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turned the ball over an average of 13.3 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.2 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season was 52%, which was 10th in the league. The Rockets were 2nd in the NBA in offensive rating with 114.7, and their defensive rating of 109 was ranked 13th. In terms of pace they were 3rd in the league with 100 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 55% was 3rd. As a team they were 2nd in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 58% and they shot 3-pointers on 46% of their shots, ranking 1st in the league.

Advanced Statistics

New York was 20th in the league in turnovers, as they turned the ball over an average of 12.4 times per 100 possessions while forcing 11.7 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year was 51%, which was 17th in the NBA. The Knicks were 19th in the league in defensive rating with 111.5, and their offensive rating of 107.7 was ranked 5th. They were 17th in the NBA in pace with 96 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 50% was 25th. As a unit they were 27th in the league in true shooting percentage with 53% and they shot 3-pointers on 28% of their shot attempts, ranking 25th in the NBA.

Who will win tonight's Rockets/Knicks NBA game against the spread?

Guy's Pick: Take New York

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