Vegas NBA Prediction: New York Knicks at Houston Rockets
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Frank Martin
The New York Knicks looked like they were ready to take off after beating Atlantic Division leader Philadelphia on Jan. 11, a victory that extended their winning streak to four games and put the team two games over .500 for the first time this season.
Instead, the Knicks have tumbled into a spectacular freefall to which there appears no end in sight. Playing without leading scorer Carmelo Anthony, New York lost for the eighth time in nine games in a 99-89 defeat at the Miami Heat on Friday night. Anthony will miss at least one more game with myriad injuries, which doesn't bode well for the Knicks' visit to the Houston Rockets on Saturday night.
The Rockets have owned the Knicks, beating them six straight times in Houston and winning 12 of the last 13 meetings overall. They are also on a roll, having won eight of their last games.
- New York Knicks @ Houston Rockets
When: 8:00 PM ET, Saturday, January 28, 2012
Where: Toyota Center, Houston, Texas
TV: 8 p.m. ET, MSG, FSH
The Rockets have opened as 7.5-point favorites on SBG Global Sportsbook’s Live NBA Basketball Odds.
New York Knicks (7-12): With Anthony sitting and needing to match the firepower of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Co., New York tried a not-so-novel approach – a long-range barrage. The Knicks hoisted up a staggering 43 3-point shots – a league high this season. The strategy benefited Bill Walker, who drilled 7 of 10 threes to score a season-high 21 points. The Knicks may force-feed Amar e Stoudemire on Saturday. He scored 25 points in each of the two meetings vs. Houston last season.
Houston Rockets (11-8): Houston was also without its leading scorer Friday. Kevin Martin sat out with a case of plantar fasciitis and may miss Saturday’s game as well. The Rockets didn’t miss him against hapless Washington, posting its biggest margin of victory in a 103-76 romp. Chase Budinger, a healthy scratch for the previous three games, scored 21 points and grabbed eight rebounds – both season highs. Luis Scola is 22 of 36 from the floor in his last three after scoring 19 points Friday.
1. Houston has led by double digits in 12 consecutive games.
2. The Knicks converted 18 of the 43 3-point attempts, but made only 12 of 41 shots inside the arc.
NBA BASKETBALL PREDICTION: Rockets 103, Knicks 91
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amar e stoudemire - carmelo anthony - chase budinger - houston rockets - kevin martin - lebron james - luis scola - new york knicks - toyota center
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