Free NBA Picks Today: Houston Rockets vs New York Knicks 12/31/22

The Houston Rockets (10-25, 6-10 Home) will try to break down one of the NBA’s top shooting defenses when they play host to the New York Knicks (18-18, 10-8 Away) on Saturday.

New York dropped their last game against the San Antonio Spurs 122-115 at AT&T Center on Thursday, their fifth loss in a row. Julius Randle was a top performer in the losing effort with 41 points, 11 rebounds, and seven assists. The Knicks are sixth in the Eastern Conference.

Houston lost on Thursday at American Airlines Center, falling to the Dallas Mavericks 129-114. Jalen Green had 23 points in defeat, carrying the team. The Rockets are the 15th seed in the Western Conference.

The teams are meeting for the first time this season. New York won both matchups between the teams last season, the last of which was a 116-103 triumph at Toyota Center in December 2021, their fifth straight head-to-head victory.

Immanuel Quickley led the Knicks with 24 points, while Mitchell Robinson contributed 17 points, nine rebounds, and three blocks. Daniel Theis had 22 points and 10 rebounds in defeat. The Knicks have been led this season by Randle and Jalen Brunson, who are averaging 23.8 and 20.2 points per game, respectively.

Randle also has grabbed 9.7 rebounds per game, while Brunson has dished 6.6 assists per game. Green and Kevin Porter Jr. have powered the Rockets on offense, averaging 21.6 and 19.3 points per game, respectively. Porter Jr. also has tallied 5.8 assists per game. Alperen Sengun has averaged 8.7 rebounds per game.

Holding foes to only 45.5% from the field, the Knicks are one of the stingiest FG% defenses in the NBA (5th).The Knicks are 3-7 in their last 10 trips to Toyota Center. Houston has lost five straight at home this season.

In the last 10 games, New York is 5-5 with an average margin of +5.8 (116.6-110.8). Houston has a 3-7 record over the last 10, allowing 113.2 points per game on average while scoring only 108.1 (-5.1 margin).

KNICKS HOT/COLD

(Last Five | Season Average | Differential)
Points + Rebounds + Assists:
Julius Randle: 49.6 | 37.1 | +12.5
Isaiah Hartenstein: 7.8 | 13.0 | -5.2
Points per game:
Julius Randle: 32.8 | 23.8 | +9.1
Jalen Brunson: 14.0 | 20.2 | -6.2
Rebounds per game:
Julius Randle: 12.4 | 9.7 | +2.7
Isaiah Hartenstein: 4.2 | 6.6 | -2.4
Assists per game:
Jalen Brunson: 10.7 | 6.6 | +4.1