Rockets Visit Madison Square Garden, Aiming to Trounce Knicks
Where Stars Are Born. Harden’s Garden. Definitive Seal.
“I just wanted to take another look at you,” Bradley Cooper says in the 2018 film, A Star is Born. On Monday night, the Rockets visit New York, home to many stars, least of all the lowly Knicks. With owner Jim Dolan at the helm, the Knickerbockers continue to be the laughingstock of the NBA. New York hasn’t been relevant since Carmelo Anthony played in the Big Apple. Houston aims to lengthen its winning streak to seven games with a win tonight, and all odds are in their favor. The Rockets have won 26 of their last 28 matchups with the Knicks, including eight in a row. Unless Houston reverts to old habits that look dead, the Rockets should have no issues extending their winning streak.
James Harden, who struggled in Boston, has owned the Knicks throughout his career. The Beard has a career scoring average of 29.3 against New York. Other than Washington, Harden torches the Knicks for more bucks than anyone else. And last time he played at Madison Square Garden? The Beard scored a career-high 61 points. Expect another show tonight, as Harden desperately wants another look at the Garden, as all then greats have in NBA history.
Houston needs to win this game to put a definitive seal on their first-half tendency to lose to bad teams. The Rockets have been stellar since their loss in Phoenix, and nothing in the city that never sleeps should derail them tonight. Expect the Rockets to get their seventh straight win tonight. However, it won’t be as easy as many people think. Houston’s got the Clippers next on the schedule, and are eager to get back home. They can’t afford to overlook the Knicks. If this contest is close, the MSG crowd will be fired up, and this could be anyone’s contest. So, if you’re expecting a blowout… you might want to take another look.
Madison Square Garden: New York City, New York
Jersey Colors:
Houston Rockets (39-20): Red
New York Knicks (18-42): Blue
TV: 6 PM CT – AT&T Sportsnet SW