I was tempted to write \u201cThis is a nationally televised game so it\u2019s definitely a loss\u201d and leave it at that.<\/p>\n
Most teams don\u2019t have terrific records in nationally televised games. At least one of the teams is usually a contender, or at least was considered one when the season started. Other primetime games are ones where there is public interest, like Kevin Durant\u2019s return to Phoenix, which didn\u2019t happen originally but will in one week.<\/p>\n
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Counting tonight\u2019s contest, the Houston Rockets play four of their final eight games on national telelvision. That\u2019s scary enough, especially when you factor in that they\u2019re all big games.<\/p>\n
The New York Knicks are the best team Houston has left on the schedule by record, though obviously the Minnesota game next week is the more important one. Still, tonight is the start of a back-to-back and unless New York just smokes Houston, it\u2019s likely that Ime Udoka will keep his starters in for their full shifts.<\/p>\n
It bears mentioning that New York is one of two teams that have a shot to sweep Houston this season. The Knicks and Sixers both beat Houston in their own buildings and each will make the trip to Toyota Center in the season\u2019s final weeks.<\/p>\n
Tip-off<\/p>\n
7pm CT<\/p>\n
Advertisement<\/p>\n
How To Watch<\/p>\n
Space City Home Network and NBC\/Peacock<\/p>\n
Injury ReportRockets<\/p>\n
Steven Adams: OUT<\/p>\n
Fred VanVleet: OUT<\/p>\n
Knicks<\/p>\n
Miles McBride: GTD<\/p>\n
Landry Shamet: OUT<\/p>\n
The Line (as of this post)<\/p>\n
New York -1.5<\/p>\n