Houston Rockets at New York Knicks Expert NBA Picks Against the Spread 1/23/2019

Wednesday, January 23, 2019

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 Wednesday, January 23, 2019. The opening line for this matchup has Houston as 6.5 point favorites.

The Rockets have a record of 26-20. They are 1st in the Southwest Division. They have a point differential of 1.4 as they average 112.2 points per game while giving up 110.8 per contest. The Knicks have an overall mark of 10-35. They currently are 5th in the Atlantic Division. They total 107.2 points per contest and give up 115.7, which is a point differential of -8.5.

Valuable Houston Rockets Betting Trends

The Houston Rockets are 22-22-1 against the spread

The Houston Rockets are 25-19-0 against the over/under

Important New York Knicks Betting Trends

The New York Knicks are 21-22-1 against the spread

The New York Knicks are 23-21-0 against the over/under

Key Houston Rockets Injuries

12/21/18 PG Chris Paul Hamstring is out indefinitely
11/15/18 SF Carmelo Anthony Possible Trade is out indefinitely
01/14/19 C Clint Capela Thumb is out indefinitely

Key New York Knicks Injuries

10/11/18 F Kristaps Porzingis Knee is out indefinitely
01/21/19 PG Trey Burke Illness is questionable Wednesday vs Houston

Player Spotlight

Austin Rivers comes into this contest averaging 8.7 points per game while playing 28.1 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 2.6 rebounds per game and dishes out 2.5 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 41% while his free throw percentage currently sits at 53%. James Harden averages 35.7 points per game in 37.3 minutes per contest this season. He averages 8.3 assists per contest and 6.4 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 44% for the year while his free throw percentage is 86%.

Player Spotlight

Emmanuel Mudiay averages 14.7 points per game while playing 26.5 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 3.1 rebounds per game and has 3.9 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 45% and his free throw percentage is at 76%. Tim Hardaway averages 19.6 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 32.6 minutes per contest. He also averages 3.3 rebounds per contest and 2.7 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 39% and his free throw percentage is 86%.

Useful Team Statistics

Houston averages 112.2 points per contest this season, which ranks them 13th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 1.4 and their shooting percentage is 45% as a team, which has them ranked 25th. Behind the arc they shoot 35% which is good for 19th in the league. They average 41.9 rebounds per game and 21.1 assists per game, which ranks them 25th and 28th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 20th with 13.4 per game. The Rockets allow 110.8 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 16th in the league. They also allow a 48% shooting percentage and a 34% average from behind the arc, ranking them 27th and 3rd in those defensive categories. Opponents average 44.1 rebounds a game which ranks 13th and they give up 23.2 assists per contest, which puts them in 7th place in the league. They force 13.8 turnovers per game which ranks them 17th in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

New York is 23rd in the league with 107.2 points per game this year. They are 30th in the league in shooting at 43%, while their average scoring margin is -8.5. They shoot 35% from 3-point range, which is good for 21st in the NBA. They are 20th in the league in rebounding with 44.4 boards per game, and 30th in assists per contest with 19.9. The Knicks are 22nd in turnovers per game with 13.3. The Knicks surrender 115.7 points per contest, which ranks them 28th in the NBA. Their defense allows a 48% shooting percentage and a 37% average from 3-point range, ranking them 28th and 24th in those defensive statistics. They rank 29th with 26.2 assists allowed per contest and 29th with 48.1 rebounds surrendered per game. The Knicks are 18th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 13.8 per game.

Advanced Statistics

The Rockets are 3rd in the NBA in offensive rating with 114.8, and their defensive rating of 113.4 is ranked 27th. In terms of pace they are 27th in the league with 96.6 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 54% is 6th. As a team they are 4th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 58% and they shoot 3-pointers on 52% of their shots, ranking 1st in the league. Houston is 17th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.1 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.4 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 53%, which is 7th in the league.

Advanced Statistics

New York is 27th in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 11.6 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.1 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 54%, which is 2nd in the NBA. The Knicks are 26th in the league in defensive rating with 114.9, and their offensive rating of 106.4 is ranked 29th. They are 12th in the NBA in pace with 99.8 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 49% is 30th. As a unit they are 30th in the league in true shooting percentage with 53% and they shoot 3-pointers on 33% of their shot attempts, ranking 21st in the NBA.

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

Guy's Pick: Take New York +6.5

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