Game Preview: Rockets vs. Knicks
The Houston Rockets (34-20), currently ranked third in the Western Conference, are set to face the New York Knicks (35-21), who hold the same position in the Eastern Conference. The highly anticipated clash will take place in New York on Saturday at 8:30 p.m. EST.
Current Form
The Rockets are on a roll, entering the game with a five-game winning streak away from home. In contrast, the Knicks have established a solid home record at 21-8 this season.
Defensive Strengths
Defensively, New York has been formidable, ranking seventh in the league by limiting opponents to an average of 112.1 points per game, alongside a shooting percentage against of 46.0%. Meanwhile, the Rockets have a decent road record of 16-13. They’ve been particularly effective when they keep their turnovers in check, boasting a 14-5 record in games where they commit fewer turnovers than their rivals.
Shooting Accuracy
Both teams have demonstrated impressive shooting accuracy this season, with the Knicks scoring at a clip of 47.2%, slightly surpassing the 45.7% shooting percentage allowed by Houston. The Rockets mirror this mark, shooting 47.2% themselves, which is just above the 46.0% average of shots made by opponents of the Knicks.
Key Players
Leading the Knicks, Jalen Brunson has been a standout performer, averaging 27.1 points along with 6.1 assists per game, with Mikal Bridges contributing an average of 16.3 points over his last 10 appearances. On the Rockets’ side, Alperen Sengun has emerged as a key player, posting 20.5 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 6.3 assists per game. Kevin Durant has also been stellar for Houston, averaging 21.6 points and 4.3 rebounds with a shooting percentage of 49.0% over the past 10 games.
Recent Performances
In their recent performances, the Knicks have recorded a 7-3 record, averaging 119.8 points and shooting 48.3% while also securing 45.7 rebounds, 29.6 assists, along with robust defensive statistics featuring 7.5 steals and 3.8 blocks per game. In comparison, the Rockets stand at 6-4 in their last ten outings, managing 104.5 points while shooting 44.2% and registering 46.1 rebounds, with their defense tallying 10.1 steals and 7.1 blocks per game.
Injury Report
In terms of injuries, the Knicks will miss Miles McBride due to an ankle injury, while the Rockets face significant setbacks with Fred VanVleet and Steven Adams both sidelined for the rest of the season due to ACL and ankle injuries, respectively.
