Two teams playing some pretty good ball right now square off in the Mecca of Basketball when the Houston Rockets (34-20) roll into Madison Square Garden to take on the New York Knicks (35-21). Both teams have been playing suffocating defense all year, so it could be a defensive slugfest in the city that never sleeps.
Rockets vs. Knicks tips off at 8:30 p.m. ET on Saturday night in New York City, live on ABC.
Below, we’ll break down our Rockets vs. Knicks prediction and Saturday NBA picks for PrizePicks. Use PrizePicks NBA to make picks on player projections and win real money if you’re right.
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Rockets vs. Knicks Prediction, Spread, Over/Under
The Rockets currently occupy the No. 4 seed in the Western Conference. They're 6-4 over their last 10 games and have won five straight on the road. Their average point differential (+5.0) is the third-best in the conference, helping keep them in the mix of potential title contenders.
Only one game separates the third seed from the seventh in the West, so every single contest carries massive implications in a congested playoff race.
The Knicks, meanwhile, hold the No. 4 seed in the Eastern Conference. They were playing some of their best basketball leading up to the All-Star break, winning seven of their last 10 before getting beaten by the Detroit Pistons coming out of the break.
Over New York's last 13 games, eight wins have come by double digits, raising their point differential to +5.8, third-best in the East.
Rockets vs. Knicks Spread, Over/Under
The Knicks enter Saturday’s game as 3.5-point home favorites, returning a 1.58x payout on PrizePicks Team Picks if they win outright.
The Rockets are road underdogs with a 2.27x payout if they win, via PrizePicks Team Picks.
- Spread: New York Knicks -3.5 (1.85x payout)
- Over/Under: 216.5 (1.81x payout on over)
- Game Winner Payout: Rockets 2.27x | Knicks 1.58x
Team Picks payouts are live as of writing and are subject to change.
Rockets vs. Knicks Injury Report
Let’s dive into the full Rockets vs. Knicks injury report for Saturday, via NBA.com.
Houston Rockets Injury Report
- C Steven Adams (ankle): OUT
- PG Fred VanVleet (knee): OUT
New York Knicks Injury Report
- G Miles McBride (core): OUT
Rockets vs. Knicks Prediction on Spread
Here are some stats to help you make your Rockets vs. Knicks prediction on the spread today.
- The Knicks have been covering machines at home, where they are 19-10-0 (65.5%) against the spread (ATS), the best in the NBA.
- Houston is just 23-31-0 (42.6%) ATS, the third-worst mark in the Association.
- In their last 10 games, the Knicks have an average net rating of +12.3, significantly better than the Rockets at -0.3.
- That discrepancy could stem from the offensive end, where New York has a rating of 118 over their last 10 (fifth-best). In the same split, the Rockets have an offensive rating of 110 (seventh-worst).
Rockets vs. Knicks Picks for PrizePicks Today: 2/21/26
Here are two of the top Rockets vs. Knicks to consider for PrizePicks today. Player projections via the PrizePicks real-money NBA game.
Rockets F Kevin Durant vs. Knicks Projection: 33.5 Pts + Rebs + Asts
- Durant is averaging 35.8 points, rebounds, and assists (PRA) this season.
- KD shoots 7.2% better from the field and 9.3% better from 3-point range away from home, leading him to pouring in 2.6 more PPG on the road.
- The Knicks' defense has been great this year, but it does give up the eighth-most 3-point attempts at 38.5 per game.
- KD is canning 40.4% of his tries from deep this year on 5.7 attempts, 1.4% better than his career average.
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Knicks PG Jalen Brunson vs. Rockets Projection: 34.5 Pts + Rebs + Asts
- Much like Durant, this projection might be low for Brunson, who is averaging 36.6 PRA.
- At home, that number increases to 38.1 PRA due to the star PG scoring 2.5 more points and dishing out 1.1 more assists on average at MSG.
- There may be ample opportunities for Brunson to live at the charity stripe tonight. At home, he's averaging 3.1 more free throw attempts than on the road (7.1 to 4.0).
- There could be some concern about defensive stalwart PG Amen Thompson guarding Brunson tonight, but in their previous matchup last year, JB dropped 42-6-10.
Make Rockets vs. Knicks Picks on PrizePicks
It could be a physical battle in basketball’s best arena tonight, and you can get all your action for this game and every other on PrizePicks. Rockets vs. Knicks picks aren’t the only way hoops fans can get in on the daily NBA action.
You can make your picks on PrizePicks and PrizePicks Team Picks and earn real money. Just pick players, predict More or Less on their projected stats, and cash in if you’re correct. With Team Picks, make predictions on winners, spreads, and over/unders, now available in 34 states.
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