Rockets Close Road Trip, Visit the Big Apple for Battle with Knicks
Bright Lights. Questionable Brunson Burner. End of the Road.
The Rockets travel to the Big Apple on Wednesday night, for a matchup against the New York Knicks in the World’s Most Famous Arena. This is the final game of Houston’s current six-game road-trip. The squad is 1-4 so far during this stretch, with the lone win coming (barely) against the lowly Detroit Pistons. This is the first matchup for many of these young Rocket players under the bright lights of Madison Square Garden. The Rockets are coming off back-to-back blowout losses in Boston and Philadelphia. The Celtics and 76ers are legitimate title contenders. The Knicks are a playoff team, but they’re not expected to hoist the Championship trophy in June. New York is still a few pieces away from being a legit threat to win it all, but they have a solid team who can beat anyone on any given night. And the Knicks pulled off arguably the best in-season trade so far this season. New York acquired defensive specialist O.G. Anunoby from the Toronto Raptors, in a deal that included R.J. Barrett and Immanuel Quickley being sent to the Toronto. The Knicks have lost two of their past three games, but Anunoby has seamlessly fit in with his new team, and provided New York a much-needed defensive boost.
New York’s best player, Jalen Brunson, is questionable for tonight’s contest. Brunson has been on a tear this season, averaging a career-high 25.8 points and 6.5 assists per game. If Brunson can’t go, Houston will get a break. The Rockets will need to capitalize on his absence if the likely All-Star can’t suit up tonight. Josh Hart is also questionable with a knee injury for the Knicks. Houston is still without Tari Eason, who’s return to the lineup is a move the squad is desperately awaiting. The Rockets haven’t been the same team, especially defensively, since Eason went out with an injury. Houston needs to battle together, and find a way to get a road victory without Eason. Outside of Detroit, the Rockets are winless on the road when Tari isn’t in the lineup.
This is the final game of Houston’s six-game road trip that started a little over a week ago. The Rockets are 4-14 on the road compared to 15-6 when they play at home. The squad would love to close this road trip with a big win over a solid Knicks team, a squad that has their eyes on the playoffs. Houston is more than capable of getting the victory tonight. Alperen Sengun will be going up against former Rocket Isaiah Hartenstein, who’s thrived in his role as starting center since Mitchell Robinson suffered a season-ending injury earlier in the season. Julius Randle, New York’s other All-Star, also poses plenty of threats in the interior for the Rockets defense tonight. Houston needs to contain Randle, and prevent him from having a 30-point outburst. When Randle plays well, so do the Knicks. If the Rockets can slow him down, they increase their chances of escaping the Garden victorious. Other players Houston needs to focus on defensibly include Donte Divencenzo, who’s having a breakout season as a role player, along with the recently traded Anunoby. This is a matchup the Rockets should win. Even if New York is at full strength, Houston has beaten better teams than these Knicks this season. Can the squad dial the intensity up defensively on the road? How will the bright lights of NYC impact the squad’s performance? If this game is another high-scoring affair, don’t expect the Rockets to win. The squad is 0-15 when allowing their opponent to score at least 120 points. However, Houston is 19-5 when they hold the other team under the 120 point mark. If the Rockets open the game with a defensive mindset, and keep the scoring within the 100-110 range… Houston has a solid chance to end this road trip with a win.
Madison Square Garden: New York City, New York
Jersey Colors:
Houston Rockets (19-20): Black
New York Knicks (23-17): White
Tip-Off: 6:30 PM CT
TV: Space City Home Network, NBA League Pass