Rockets vs. Knicks Prediction, Picks for Wednesday, Jan. 17
Here's everything you need to know about Rockets vs. Knicks on Wednesday, Jan. 17 — our expert prediction and picks.
The Houston Rockets have been terrible on the road and the New York Knicks are great at home, so maybe this is an easy one.
But it isn't, because it's another one of 82 in this weird league. There are a couple of notable injuries to account for, and overall, this shouldn't be a blowout in either direction.
Let's get to our Rockets vs. Knicks prediction and picks.
Rockets vs. Knicks Prediction
Pick: Knicks -5.5 or Better (Assuming Brunson is Active)
Rockets Betting Outlook
The Rockets were the last NBA team to win a road game this season and are currently 4-14 away from Houston. That feel good story from their 13-9 start? Yeah, that was largely fluffed by home victories and just early NBA season things.
The Rockets are ending their six-game road trip here, of which they're 1-4 with a lone victory against the Detroit Pistons, the Barry Horowitz of this NBA season for you wrestling fans out there.
The Rockets are 6-11-1 against the spread as a road team this season, the fourth-worst cover percentage in the NBA at 35.3% (only Atlanta, Denver and Charlotte are worse as of Tuesday afternoon). As a road underdog it's the same as they're 5-10-1.
Houston is also 8-10-1 ATS after a loss, most recently dropping one to the Philadelphia 76ers on Monday.
On the injury front, Tari Eason is the big one for Houston, and he's listed as out with a leg injury.
Knicks Betting Outlook
Madison Square Garden matters again this season.
The Knicks, tied with the Pacers for sixth in the East, are 11-5 straight-up at home, the fifth-best home record in the conference.
They're the ninth-best team in the NBA ATS at home at 9-6-1 (tied with the Pacers). As a home favorite, they're 10th ATS at 7-5, covering 58.3 percent of the time, and they're the fourth-best team ATS on equal rest — both the Rockets and Knicks haven't played since Monday — with a record of 12-7-2 ATS, covering 63.2 percent of the time. They trail only Orlando, Philly and Dallas in that regard.
The Knicks are also 6-2 since acquiring OG Anunoby, who debuted with the team on January 1.
However, the Knicks did lose at home to the Magic on Monday, and while they were missing Jalen Brunson, most notably, the Magic got it done without Franz Wagner. Brunson is the biggest loss here, but both were without a top-two player on their roster.
Brunson is questionable tonight with a calf injury, and Josh Hart is also questionable with a left knee injury.
Rockets vs. Knicks Picks, Odds
| Rockets Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+6.5 -105 | 220.5 -110o / -110u | +200 |
| Knicks Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-5.5 -115 | 220.5 -110o / -110u | -250 |
The Knicks are favored by just 4.5 points as of this writing, which I bet. I like this if Brunson is playing, and his props are listed, so we'll assume the line has his appearance factored in.
So we'll do it this way: If Brunson is active, I like the Knicks up to -5.5 points. If he's out, I'm passing on the spread, and likely this game, entirely.
Pick: Knicks -5.5 or Better (Assuming Brunson is Active)
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