New York Knicks Edge Houston Rockets in High-Scoring Affair

The New York Knicks and the Houston Rockets clashed in a highly anticipated NBA matchup on Monday, November 4, 2024, at the Toyota Center. The Knicks, riding a wave of momentum after winning three of their last four games, entered the game as favorites against the Rockets, who were looking to improve their home record.

The game lived up to its billing as a high-scoring affair, with the Knicks’ potent offense leading the charge. New York, which leads the league in 3-point shooting with a remarkable 41.7% success rate, continued to excel from beyond the arc. In their previous game, the Knicks dominated the Detroit Pistons with a 128-98 victory, and they carried this form into the Houston game. Jalen Brunson, who recently scored 36 points against the Pistons, was expected to be a key player, along with Karl-Anthony Towns and OG Anunoby.

The Rockets, despite their balanced performance on both ends of the court, struggled with their defense, particularly against 3-point shots. Houston ranks 23rd in 3-point defense and has given up a high number of looks from deep, which played into the Knicks’ strengths. Additionally, the Rockets’ frontcourt, led by Alperen Sengun, was expected to challenge the Knicks’ defense, which has struggled to protect the rim.

The betting odds favored the Knicks, with a spread of New York -4.5 and an over/under of 217.5 points. The game saw significant betting action, with the spread and total points line fluctuating in the hours leading up to the game. Analysts predicted a high-scoring game, siding with the Over due to the offensive prowess of both teams.

Injuries were a factor for both teams, with the Knicks missing Mitchell Robinson and Cameron Payne, while the Rockets were cautious with Steven Adams, who was listed as questionable. Despite these challenges, the game promised to be an exciting matchup between two teams looking to solidify their positions in the early stages of the season.