Houston Rockets vs. New York Knicks 1/17/24 – As the Houston Rockets square off against the New York Knicks this Wednesday, fans and bettors alike are buzzing with anticipation. With the Rockets holding a balanced 19-19 record and the Knicks standing strong at 23-16, this matchup promises to be a thrilling showdown at Madison Square Garden. This game, slated for a 7:30 PM ET tip-off and broadcasting on MSG, is a pivotal moment for both teams as they navigate the mid-season dynamics. For those keen on NBA betting predictions, this game offers a fascinating mix of talent, strategy, and high stakes.
| When: | Wednesday, January 17, 2024, at 7:30 PM ET |
|---|---|
| Where: | Madison Square Garden |
| TV: | MSG |
| Stream: | NBA League Pass |
Alpi is trying to spin his way into the All-Star game 🌪️
Vote now! https://t.co/MAWRRV0QdF pic.twitter.com/XmD0yF56H6
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) January 4, 2024
| Team | SP/RL | TOTAL | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rockets | +5 -110 | o220 -110 | +165 |  |
| Knicks | -5 -110 | u220 -110 | -185 | |
| ||||
Alperen Sengun (C) vs. Julius Randle (PF)
Alperen Sengun, the Houston Rockets center player has been an outstanding star this season. Averaging 21.7 points, 8.9 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game for Houston, Sengun has emerged as a key member. His ability to dominate both ends of the floor while adding 1.2 steals and 0.7 blocks every game makes him a formidable force; however his 2.5 turnovers per game suggest potential weaknesses for New York Knicks opponents to exploit.
Julius Randle has had an outstanding season for the Knicks as power forward, averaging 24.4 points and 9.2 rebounds per game while contributing 4.8 assists per game despite his slightly higher turnover rate (3.4). Randle is an integral piece in their success this season due to his ability to stretch the floor while controlling paint space – essential skills in any matchup scenario.
Sengun and Randle face-off on the court in an intriguing battle of versatility and strength, pitting Sengun’s inside presence and rebounding ability against Randle’s scoring prowess and physicality to determine who wins this key player matchup and potentially determines its outcome based on individual performances.
Rockets’ Statistical Spotlight: Inside the Numbers
Houston Rockets boast an impressive offensive output, averaging 112.7 points per game on average. Their field goal percentage stands at 46.1% and 36% 3-point field goal efficiency stands out as examples of their efficiency when scoring points. However, their high turnover rate (12.4 per game) presents cause for concern. Their defensive statistics of 7.2 steals and 4.1 blocks per game demonstrate an effective effort at disrupting opponents’ plays. The Rockets boast an average of 45 rebounds per game, led by Sengun who averages 8.9 RPG. Their scoring prowess and defensive hustle make them formidable opponents; however, turnover issues could prove crucial against Knicks.
Knicks’ Statistical Standout: A Closer Look
The New York Knicks surpass the Houston Rockets slightly in scoring, averaging 115.6 points per game on average. Their slightly better field goal percentage of 46.7% and higher 3-point field goal making average (13.3) indicates an effective and versatile offense. Furthermore, they possess strong presence on the boards, with slightly more rebounds per game (44.9) than Rockets; even though their turnover rate may be marginally higher, their resilient and effective offense still manages a higher scoring average regardless. Defensively they match up well against their counterparts, making this contest quite competitive overall in terms of team statistics.
NBA Betting Odds: TBD, Over/Under: TBD
Betting odds for this matchup have yet to be set, but given both teams’ recent performance and standings, bettors can expect it to be closely contested contest. As soon as these lines become available, bettors should keep tabs on them to gain valuable insights into how oddsmakers perceive the matchup.
Trends
Houston Rockets Betting Trends
Rockets are 2-3 in their last 5 games.
HoustonRockets are 1-4 in their last 5 games against the spread.
Rockets are 6-10 in their road games against the spread.
The totals have gone OVER in 3 of Rockets’ last 5 games.
The totals have gone OVER in 8 of Rockets’ 21 last games at home.
New York Knicks Betting Trends
Knicks are 4-1 in their last 5 games.
NY Knicks are 4-1 in their last 5 games against the spread.
Knicks are 13-11 in their road games against the spread.
The totals have gone OVER in 1 of Knicks’ last 5 games.
The totals have gone OVER in 6 of Knicks’ 15 last games at home.
Injuries
Houston Rockets
Victor Oladipo SG Is out indefinitely, Knee
Reggie Bullock SF Is “?” Wednesday vs New York, Back
Tari Eason SF Is out indefinitely, Leg
New York Knicks
Josh Hart SG Is “?” Wednesday vs Houston, Knee
Jalen Brunson PG Is “?” Wednesday vs Houston, Calf
Mitchell Robinson C Is out indefinitely, Ankle
Houston Rockets vs. New York Knicks Betting Picks
Based on analysis and betting trends, this game looks to be an even contest. The Knicks’ strong performance both overall and against the spread in their home stadium makes them an appealing pick; however, do not underestimate Sengun and Rockets’ offensive firepower either; bettors might find value betting over/under or total 3-point field goal attempts made as both teams show efficiency from beyond the 3-point arc.
In terms of casino online betting, this game presents an opportunity to explore various bets beyond just the winner. Prop bets on individual player performances, like points scored by Sengun or Randle, could be worthwhile, given their pivotal roles in their respective teams. Moreover, considering the Knicks’ recent form and home advantage, they might be the safer pick, but the Rockets’ unpredictable nature could lead to potential upsets. Sign up today to make your NBA betting prediction!
Score Prediction: Knicks 118, Rockets 112.
