New York Knicks vs. Houston Rockets Preview, Picks, & Best Bets (3/31/26)
The New York Knicks (48-27) travel to face the Houston Rockets (45-29) at 8 p.m. Eastern on NBC. Jalen Brunson and company won the previous matchup between these teams on Feb. 21 by two points. Will they sweep the season series?
Keep reading for Knicks vs. Rockets best bets, and click any odds below to place a bet. For more sportsbook promos, we highly recommend checking out the best sports betting sites. Also check out our daily NBA betting trends for data, odds and insights!
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Knicks vs. Rockets Odds
Knicks vs. Rockets Best Bets & Picks
The best bet in this matchup is taking New York to win the game.
New York Knicks Moneyline (-108 FanDuel)
According to NBA.com, New York’s defense has surrendered the third-lowest paint attempt rate and the eighth-lowest paint field goal percentage since the All-Star break. On the flip side, the Knicks have allowed the fifth-highest three-point attempt rate during this span. This does not bode well for a Rockets offense that relies on shots around the basket in order to post respectable numbers. While Houston could have an outlier three-point shooting night, it’s difficult to place any trust in this scenario.
The Rockets’ offense also struggles with turnovers and does not function at a high level when it cannot physically overwhelm opponents and control the offensive glass. New York’s frontcourt owns enough versatility, length, and power to mostly nullify Houston, especially when Mitchell Robinson is on the court.
Plus, the Knicks possess plenty of great defensive options to throw at Kevin Durant, such as OG Anunoby, Josh Hart, and Mikal Bridges.
On the other end of the court, the Knicks’ three-point shooting prowess allows them to somewhat bypass the Rockets’ size and athleticism. It’s still a major hurdle, but at least New York does not need to always attack Houston’s interior defense to score.
Overall, look for the East to prevail in this contest.
Knicks vs. Rockets Preview & Breakdown
New York owns a 10-5 record this month with blowout wins against San Antonio and Denver. The Knicks have enough firepower to compete against the top teams, but their floor is lower than other contenders because they are inconsistent and often beat themselves.
Karl-Anthony Towns, in particular, is prone to volatile stretches that are seemingly determined by his mood. He’s an elite player when he attacks the paint and cranks up the energy, yet Towns frequently fades into the background and plays passive basketball. How far the Knicks go in the playoffs will largely be determined by Towns’ two-way impact.
Meanwhile, Houston is 8-7 in March and ranks 18th in offensive rating this month despite efficient performances from Kevin Durant, Alperen Sengun, and Amen Thompson. The main problem for the Rockets is that they are receiving minimal offensive contributions outside of their stars. For example, Reed Sheppard, Jabari Smith Jr., and Tari Eason have combined to shoot 30.5% from beyond the arc on 265 attempts this month.
The Rockets currently occupy the sixth seed but only have one more loss than the fourth seed. If Houston finishes the regular season on a heater and wins its matchup against Minnesota on April 10, then the team could sneak up the standings and host a first round series.
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