New York takes on Houston, looks to break 4-game slide

New York Knicks (12-16, 12th in the Eastern Conference) vs. Houston Rockets (9-19, 13th in the Western Conference)

Houston; Thursday, 8 p.m. EST

LINE: Rockets -6.5

BOTTOM LINE: New York looks to break its four-game skid with a win against Houston.

The Rockets are 7-6 on their home court. Houston gives up 113.0 points and has been outscored by 6.8 points per game.

The Knicks have gone 7-6 away from home. New York has a 1-2 record in one-possession games.

The two teams square off for the second time this season. The Knicks defeated the Rockets 106-99 in their last meeting on Nov. 20. Alec Burks led the Knicks with 20 points, and Christian Wood led the Rockets with 18 points.

TOP PERFORMERS: Jae'Sean Tate is averaging 12 points and 5.9 rebounds for the Rockets. Wood is averaging 18.6 points over the last 10 games for Houston.

Julius Randle is averaging 19.5 points, 9.9 rebounds and 5.2 assists for the Knicks. Burks is averaging 14.7 points over the last 10 games for New York.

LAST 10 GAMES: Rockets: 7-3, averaging 115.3 points, 42.0 rebounds, 27.4 assists, 7.5 steals and 5.4 blocks per game while shooting 47.6% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 115.6 points per game.

Knicks: 2-8, averaging 102.3 points, 43.7 rebounds, 20.4 assists, 6.8 steals and 4.0 blocks per game while shooting 42.4% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 109.0 points.

INJURIES: Rockets: Christian Wood: out (knee), Jalen Green: out (hamstring), Eric Gordon: out (groin), Danuel House Jr.: out (ankle), Kevin Porter Jr.: out (thigh).

Knicks: Obi Toppin: out (health and safety protocols), RJ Barrett: out (health and safety protocols), Quentin Grimes: out (health and safety protocols).

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