New York Knicks vs Houston Rockets Predictions, Expert NBA Pick 2/24/2020

Game: New York Knicks vs Houston Rockets

Date: Monday, February 24, 2020

Location: Toyota Center in Houston, TX

TV: AT&T Sportsnet - Southwest

Odds/Point Spread: Houston -13.5

Total/Over-Under: 228

Elfrid Payton and the New York Knicks (17-39, 5th in the Atlantic Division) head to Toyota Center on Monday where they'll meet the Houston Rockets (36-20, 1st in the Southwest Division). The line on this game has Houston as 13.5 point favorites. The over/under opens at 228.

The Knicks are covering the spread 52.7% of the time, having gone 29-26-1 ATS. Houston covers the spread 50.0% of the time, going 28-28-0 against the spread.

Key New York Knicks Injuries

02/23/20 C Mitchell Robinson Ankle is probable Monday vs Houston
02/23/20 PG Frank Ntilikina Groin is questionable Monday vs Houston
02/22/20 PG Elfrid Payton Ankle is questionable Monday vs Houston

Key Houston Rockets Injuries

No key injuries to report

Player Spotlight

Elfrid Payton comes into this contest averaging 9.7 points per game while playing 27.4 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 4.7 rebounds per game and dishes out 6.9 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 43% while his free throw percentage currently sits at 54%. Julius Randle averages 19.1 points per game in 32.8 minutes per contest this season. He averages 3.2 assists per contest and 9.6 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 45% for the year while his free throw percentage is 71%.

Player Spotlight

Russell Westbrook averages 27.2 points per game while playing 36.0 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 7.9 rebounds per game and has 7.2 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 47% and his free throw percentage is at 79%. James Harden averages 35.2 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 36.9 minutes per contest. He also averages 6.4 rebounds per contest and 7.4 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 44% and his free throw percentage is 87%.

Useful Team Statistics

New York averages 104.6 points per contest this season, which ranks them 28th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is -7.0 and their shooting percentage is 44% as a team, which has them ranked 26th. Behind the arc they shoot 34% which is good for 27th in the league. They average 46.3 rebounds per game and 21.6 assists per game, which ranks them 6th and 28th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 21st with 14.3 per game. The Knicks allow 111.6 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 19th in the league. They also allow a 46% shooting percentage and a 38% average from behind the arc, ranking them 18th and 29th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 45.2 rebounds a game which ranks 15th and they give up 24.2 assists per contest, which puts them in 14th place in the league. They force 14.1 turnovers per game which ranks them 9th in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Houston is 2nd in the league with 118.5 points per game this year. They are 22nd in the league in shooting at 45%, while their average scoring margin is 4.3. They shoot 35% from 3-point range, which is good for 19th in the NBA. They are 14th in the league in rebounding with 45.4 boards per game, and 29th in assists per contest with 21.5. The Rockets are 20th in turnovers per game with 14.5. The Rockets surrender 114.2 points per contest, which ranks them 21st in the NBA. Their defense allows a 46% shooting percentage and a 34% average from 3-point range, ranking them 17th and 8th in those defensive statistics. They rank 25th with 25.5 assists allowed per contest and 26th with 46.6 rebounds surrendered per game. The Rockets are 25th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 15.7 per game.

Advanced Statistics

The Knicks are 29th in the league in defensive rating with 112.3, and their offensive rating of 105.2 is ranked 23rd. They are 21st in the NBA in pace with 98.7 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 50% is 28th. As a unit they are 30th in the league in true shooting percentage with 52% and they shoot 3-pointers on 33% of their shot attempts, ranking 28th in the NBA. New York is 19th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.6 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.7 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 54%, which is 6th in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Houston is 21st in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.4 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.4 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 53%, which is 15th in the NBA. The Rockets are 2nd in the league in defensive rating with 109.9, and their offensive rating of 114.1 is ranked 15th. They are 3rd in the NBA in pace with 103.5 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 54% is 8th. As a unit they are 6th in the league in true shooting percentage with 58% and they shoot 3-pointers on 48% 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 New York +13.5

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