New York Knicks at Houston Rockets Expert NBA Picks Against the Spread 4/5/2019

Friday, April 5, 2019

Toyota Center

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The New York Knicks travel to Toyota Center to play the Houston Rockets on Friday, April 5, 2019. The opening line for this matchup has Houston as 16.5 point favorites.

The Knicks have a record of 15-63. They are 5th in the Atlantic Division. They have a point differential of -9.2 as they average 104.9 points per game while giving up 114.1 per contest. The Rockets have an overall mark of 51-28. They currently are 1st in the Southwest Division. They total 113.4 points per contest and give up 109.2, which is a point differential of 4.2.

Valuable New York Knicks Betting Trends

The New York Knicks are 31-45-2 against the spread

The New York Knicks are 36-42-0 against the over/under

Important Houston Rockets Betting Trends

The Houston Rockets are 38-38-3 against the spread

The Houston Rockets are 38-40-0 against the over/under

Key New York Knicks Injuries

04/03/19 G Allonzo Trier Groin is questionable Friday vs Houston
04/03/19 F Noah Vonleh Ankle is questionable Friday vs Houston
04/03/19 PG Dennis Smith Jr. Back is questionable Friday vs Houston
03/29/19 PG Frank Ntilikina Groin is out for season

Key Houston Rockets Injuries

No key injuries to report

Player Spotlight

Emmanuel Mudiay comes into this contest averaging 14.8 points per game while playing 27.2 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 3.3 rebounds per game and dishes out 3.9 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 45% while his free throw percentage currently sits at 77%. Kevin Knox averages 12.8 points per game in 28.6 minutes per contest this season. He averages 1.1 assists per contest and 4.3 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 37% for the year while his free throw percentage is 73%.

Player Spotlight

James Harden averages 36.3 points per game while playing 37.0 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 6.5 rebounds per game and has 7.5 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 44% and his free throw percentage is at 88%. Chris Paul averages 15.7 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 32.2 minutes per contest. He also averages 4.6 rebounds per contest and 8.1 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 42% and his free throw percentage is 86%.

Useful Team Statistics

New York averages 104.9 points per contest this season, which ranks them 28th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is -9.2 and their shooting percentage is 43% as a team, which has them ranked 30th. Behind the arc they shoot 34% which is good for 27th in the league. They average 44.6 rebounds per game and 20.0 assists per game, which ranks them 21st and 30th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 14th with 14.1 per game. The Knicks allow 114.1 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 25th in the league. They also allow a 47% shooting percentage and a 36% average from behind the arc, ranking them 23rd and 24th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 47.3 rebounds a game which ranks 29th and they give up 25.8 assists per contest, which puts them in 24th place in the league. They force 13.4 turnovers per game which ranks them 8th in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Houston is 11th in the league with 113.4 points per game this year. They are 24th in the league in shooting at 45%, while their average scoring margin is 4.2. They shoot 35% from 3-point range, which is good for 13th in the NBA. They are 28th in the league in rebounding with 41.9 boards per game, and 28th in assists per contest with 21.1. The Rockets are 24th in turnovers per game with 13.5. The Rockets surrender 109.2 points per contest, which ranks them 11th in the NBA. Their defense allows a 47% shooting percentage and a 34% average from 3-point range, ranking them 22nd and 4th in those defensive statistics. They rank 8th with 23.6 assists allowed per contest and 15th with 45.2 rebounds surrendered per game. The Rockets are 21st in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 15.1 per game.

Advanced Statistics

The Knicks are 30th in the NBA in offensive rating with 104.6, and their defensive rating of 113.8 is ranked 28th. In terms of pace they are 16th in the league with 99.7 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 49% is 30th. As a team they are 30th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 53% and they shoot 3-pointers on 33% of their shots, ranking 23rd in the league. New York is 15th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.5 times per 100 possessions while forcing 11.8 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 54%, which is 8th in the league.

Advanced Statistics

Houston is 21st in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.1 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.4 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 53%, which is 13th in the NBA. The Rockets are 2nd in the league in defensive rating with 110.9, and their offensive rating of 115.2 is ranked 18th. They are 27th in the NBA in pace with 97.7 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 54% is 4th. As a unit they are 3rd in the league in true shooting percentage with 58% and they shoot 3-pointers on 52% of their shot attempts, ranking 1st in the NBA.

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

Guy's Pick: Take Houston -16.5

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here

Read more articles by Guy Bruhn