Rockets Hit the Big Apple for Matchup with Knicks
Second Road Quartet. New York, New York. Missing Quarterback.
The Rockets begin another four game road trip as they visit the world’s most famous arena, Madison Square Garden, to face the New York Knicks on Monday night. It’s the first of a Big Apple Doubleheader for Houston, as they’ll play Nets in Brooklyn tomorrow night. Houston is coming off their worst loss in the season, a disappointing 110-98 loss at home to those pesky Nets. The Knicks are coming off a home loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday night. So both teams enter tonight’s matchup hungry for a win.
After injuring his right ankle in Saturday’s loss to the Nets, Fred VanVleet will miss tonight’s game against the Knicks. And after missing the last two games, both Houston losses, Alperen Sengun is considered questionable entering tonight’s matchup. The Rockets haven’t lost three games in a row all season long, as they try and re-focus against a tough Knicks team tonight.
It’s hard for Houston to play with less effort than they did in their ugly defeat on Saturday. Expect the Rockets to be ready to play with their usual intensity on defense and hustle coming out of the gates. However, without their quarterback and floor leader in VanVleet, it’s going to be very tough to beat one of the Eastern Conference’s best teams in their house. Hopefully, Sengun will be able to make his return to action tonight. Otherwise, Houston has a high mountain to climb if they want to win this game.
New York Head Coach Tom Thibodeau always has his Knicks playing hard. Besides All-Star Starters Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns, New York has O.G. Anunoby, Josh Hart, and others to wreak havoc on the court. Houston will need the Stay Ready Crew, and everyone in the lineup to step up their games tonight if they want to pull off the upset. Expect a more spirited game than the Rockets’ sleepwalking effort on Saturday night.
The difference in the game just may be Sengun’s availability. Houston won the first matchup between these squads, 109-97, back in H-Town on November 4th. Sengun led the way for the Rockets in that win with 25 points and 14 rebounds. Houston is praying for their All-Star’s return as they prepare to battle the Knicks at MSG on Monday night.
Madison Square Garden: New York City, New York
Jersey Colors:
Houston Rockets (32-16): Red
New York Knicks (32-17): White
Tip-Off: 6:30 PM CT
TV: NBA TV, Space City Home Network