Houston Rockets vs New York Knicks Predictions, NBA Picks 3/2/2020

Game: Houston Rockets vs New York Knicks

Date: Monday, March 2, 2020

Location: Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY

TV: MSG

Odds/Point Spread: Houston -8.5

Total/Over-Under: 231

James Harden and the Houston Rockets (39-20, 1st in the Southwest Division) are headed to Madison Square Garden on Monday where they'll take on the New York Knicks (18-42, 5th in the Atlantic Division). Houston opens this game as 8.5 point favorites. The total opens at 231.

The Rockets cover 49.1% of the time, having gone 29-30-0 ATS. New York covers the spread 52.5% of the time, going 31-28-1 against the spread.

Key Houston Rockets Injuries

No key injuries to report

Key New York Knicks Injuries

02/29/20 PG Dennis Smith Jr. Concussion is questionable Monday vs Houston
02/29/20 SG Reggie Bullock Illness is questionable Monday vs Houston

Player Spotlight

James Harden comes into this game averaging 34.9 points per contest while playing 36.8 minutes per night this year. He grabs 6.4 rebounds per contest and distributes 7.3 assists per game. His FG percentage is 44% while his free throw percentage is 86%. Russell Westbrook averages 27.6 points per contest in 36.1 minutes per game. He averages 7.2 assists per game and 7.9 rebounds per contest. His field goal percentage is 47% for the season while his free throw percentage is 78%.

Player Spotlight

Julius Randle scores 19.3 points per contest while playing 32.6 minutes per game. He hauls in 9.6 rebounds per contest and has 3.2 assists per game on the season. His FG percentage is 46% and his free throw percentage is at 72%. Elfrid Payton averages 9.7 points per game this year and he sees the court an average of 27.8 minutes per game. He also brings in 4.6 rebounds per game and has 7.1 assists per contest. His field goal percentage is 43% and his free throw percentage is 53%.

Useful Team Statistics

Houston averages 118.8 points per contest, which is 2nd in the league. Their average scoring margin is 4.8 and their shooting percentage is 46% as a unit, which has them ranked 22nd. From 3-point territory they shoot 35%, which is good for 19th in the NBA. They average 45.4 boards per contest and 21.4 assists per game, which ranks them 14th and 29th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they are 17th with 14.6 per game. The Rockets allow 114.1 points per contest, which is 21st in the NBA. They also surrender a 46% shooting percentage and a 34% average from 3-point range, ranking them 16th and 5th in defensive field goal percentage. Opponents average 46.9 rebounds a game which ranks 27th, and they allow 25.4 assists per game which puts them in 25th place in the league. They force 15.7 turnovers per game which ranks them 25th in the NBA.

Useful Team Statistics

New York is 29th in the NBA with 105.1 points per contest this season. They are 25th in the league in shooting at 44%, while their average scoring margin is -6.78. They shoot 34% from beyond the arc, which is good for 26th in the league. They are 6th in the NBA in rebounding with 46.3 boards per contest and 28th in assists per game with 21.9. The Knicks are 21st in turnovers per contest with 14.3. The Knicks give up 111.9 points per game, which ranks them 19th in the league. Their defense surrenders a 47% shooting percentage and a 39% average from behind the 3-point line, ranking them 18th and 29th in those defensive statistics. They rank 13th with 24.3 dimes allowed per game and 12th with 44.7 boards surrendered per contest. The Knicks are 8th in the league in forcing turnovers with 13.8 per contest this year.

Advanced Statistics

The Rockets are 2nd in the NBA in offensive rating with 114.2, and their defensive rating of 109.7 is ranked 14th. In terms of pace they are 3rd in the league with 103.5 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 54% is 6th. As a team they are 5th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 58% and they shoot 3-pointers on 49% of their shots, ranking 1st in the league. Houston is 21st in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.4 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.3 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 53%, which is 16th in the league.

Advanced Statistics

New York is 20th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.6 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.5 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 54%, which is 6th in the league. The Knicks are 28th in the NBA in offensive rating with 105.9, and their defensive rating of 112.8 is ranked 23rd. In terms of pace they are 23rd in the league with 98.5 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 50% is 29th. As a team they are 30th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 53% and they shoot 3-pointers on 32% of their shots, ranking 28th in the league.

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

Guy's Pick: Take New York +8.5

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