Houston Rockets vs New York Knicks Prediction, Preview and Odds - 02/21/2026

Game Time: 8:30 pm ET, Saturday, February 21, 2026

Venue:  Madison Square Garden, New York, NY

Where to Watch:  ABC

DraftKings:  Point Spread:  Rockets +2.5, Knicks -2.5; Over/Under:  213.5 points

Bet365:  Point Spread:  Rockets +2.5, Knicks -2.5; Over/Under:  213.5 points

BetMGM:  Point Spread:  Rockets +2.5, Knicks -2.5; Over/Under:  213.5 points

Houston Rockets:  34-20 (2nd place, Southwest Division)

New York Knicks:  35-21 (2nd place, Atlantic Division)

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Houston Rockets:  6-4 last 10

New York Knicks:  7-3 last 10

The Rockets are entering this game with a 34-20 record overall this season and they are 16-13 in their road games this season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game off a win against the Charlotte Hornets. Kevin Durant led the team in points in that game with 35 while Jabari Smith Jr. was next on the team with 15 points. Alperen Şengün led the team in assists in that game with 7 while Kevin Durant led the team in rebounds with 8. They were 49.4% from the field, 28.1% from 3-point range, and 92.3% from the free throw line with their shots in that game. Their offense is averaging 114.5 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 109.5 PPG against them. The Rockets have an ATS record of 23-31 this season and their O/U record is 22-31-1.

The Knicks are entering this game with a 35-21 record overall this season and they are 21-8 in their home games this season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game off a loss against the Detroit Pistons. Jalen Brunson led the team in points in that game with 33 while Karl-Anthony Towns was next on the team with 21 points. Jalen Brunson led the team in assists in that game with 8 while Karl-Anthony Towns led the team in rebounds with 11. They were 47.1% from the field, 22.9% from 3-point range, and 75% from the free throw line with their shots in that game. Their offense is averaging 117.9 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 112.1 PPG against them. The Knicks have an ATS record of 31-26 this season and their O/U record is 29-28.

The current betting odds have the Knicks listed as a 2.5 point favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. The Knicks have looked really good in their games this season with their 35-21 record overall which has them right near the top of the East. They have looked great on their home court too with their 21-8 home record this season. Meanwhile, the Rockets have looked really good in their games this season with their 34-20 record overall which has them in the top half of the West. They have been a good road team too with their 16-13 road record this year. The Rockets are off a road win over the Hornets in their first game back from the All-Star Break and they have looked better lately as they are 6-4 in their last 10 games. They haven't been at their best in road games this year though and they did struggle to pull away from the Hornets in that last game. The Knicks have been one of the best teams in the East all year and they have looked really good lately. They have been getting into a groove as they are 7-3 in their last 10 games, but now they will be looking to bounce back. They are off a home loss to the Pistons in their first game back from the All-Star Break and they got embarrassed on their own home court, but they have struggled with the Pistons all season and they will be looking to bounce back in a big way with another contender coming into town from the West. The Rockets have had some tight wins lately and they have been shaky on the road all season, so look for the Knicks to flex their muscles at home and bounce back with a big win. The best way to place a bet here is on the Knicks to cover the spread in this game. 

Rockets Knicks Prediction:  Our NBA Pick for Saturday, February 21, 2026 (8:30 pm ET start time) is Knicks 124 Rockets 115.

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Houston Rockets: 16-23 ATS after a win by 6 points or less. 3-6 ATS after failing to cover the spread in 3 or more consecutive games. 4-8 ATS after 3 or more consecutive unders. 8-3 UNDER when the total is 210 to 219.5. 8-4 UNDER after 3 or more consecutive unders.

New York Knicks: 24-16 ATS off a home loss. 28-20 ATS off an upset loss as a favorite. 26-15 ATS when playing against a good team (Win Pct. 60% to 70%). 13-7 UNDER at home when the line is +3 to -3.

Houston Rockets:  S. Adams (C) Out For Season - Ankle. F. VanVleet (PG) Out For Season - ACL.

New York Knicks:  M. McBride (PG) Out - Ankle.

"I like how we stayed poised after that first quarter. We tried a defensive scheme for a little bit and they got going but we weathered the storm. I just like how we stayed with it throughout the whole night." - Kevin Durant after their win against the Hornets in their game on Thursday.

"I thought in the 1st half, especially early on, we did a great job generating some wide open looks from the 3-point line. Just didn't go in tonight. For us to shoot 22, 23% from the three, 35 attempts, is uncharacteristic. You gotta give Detroit some credit though." - Mike Brown after his team’s loss against the Pistons in their game on Thursday.

PG Amen Thompson

SG Tari Eason

SF Kevin Durant

PF Jabari Smith Jr.

C Alperen Sengun

PG Jalen Brunson

SG Josh Hart

SF Mikal Bridges

PF OG Anunoby

C Karl-Anthony Towns

PPG: Kevin Durant (26)

APG: Alperen Sengun (6.3)

Reb/G: Alperen Sengun (9.2)

PPG: Jalen Brunson (27.1)

APG: Jalen Brunson (6.1)

Reb/G: Karl-Anthony Towns (11.9)

Coaches:

Houston Rockets: Ime Udoka (3rd season)

New York Knicks: Mike Brown (1st season)