Houston Rockets vs New York Knicks Prediction, Odds & Picks | 02.21.26

Houston Rockets vs New York Knicks Prediction, Odds & NBA Picks | 02.21.26

As the playoff race intensifies, the Houston Rockets (34-20) travel to the iconic Madison Square Garden to face the New York Knicks (35-21) on February 21, 2026. This high-stakes matchup features a fascinating clash of styles: Houston’s star-powered veteran presence against New York’s gritty, home-court dominance. With both teams fighting for seeding in their respective conferences, this late-February showdown carries significant postseason implications.

Houston Rockets vs New York Knicks Matchup Preview

Houston Rockets Key Stats & Trends

The Rockets have transformed into a legitimate contender behind the elite scoring of Kevin Durant, who continues to defy age with 26.0 PPG and a stellar 26.0 rating. The offense flows through Alperen Sengun, who serves as the team’s primary hub with 9.2 RPG and 6.3 APG. While Houston boasts high-end talent, their depth is being tested. They rely heavily on Durant’s efficiency and Sengun’s playmaking to offset a backcourt that is currently lacking its primary floor general.

Injury Report Houston Rockets

• Steven Adams (Out): The Rockets announced Wednesday that Adams has undergone season-ending left ankle surgery, per Shams Charania of ESPN.
• Fred VanVleet (Out): VanVleet suffered a torn ACL and may be out for the entire 2025-26 campaign, Shams Charania of ESPN reports.

New York Knicks Key Stats & Trends

The Knicks remain one of the toughest outs at home, led by the relentless Jalen Brunson. Averaging 27.1 PPG and 6.1 APG, Brunson excels at manipulating defenses in the pick-and-roll. The addition of Karl-Anthony Towns has provided elite interior presence and spacing, evidenced by his 11.9 RPG. New York’s defensive identity remains intact, often forcing opponents into low-efficiency mid-range looks and dominating the defensive glass.

Injury Report New York Knicks

• Miles McBride (Out): McBride will undergo surgery for a core muscle injury and may be sidelined until the playoffs, James L. Edwards III of The Athletic reports.

Houston Rockets vs New York Knicks Prediction & Best Bet

The absence of Fred VanVleet is the deciding factor here. Without their primary playmaker, Houston will struggle to navigate the Knicks’ aggressive perimeter defense. While Durant can score against anyone, the Knicks have the wing depth with Anunoby and Bridges to make him work for every bucket. Expect a physical, slow-paced battle where New York’s superior rebounding and home-court advantage prevail. We are backing the New York Knicks -2.5 (Spread). Additionally, given the defensive focus of both squads and Houston’s reduced pace without VanVleet, the under on the 213.5 total is the optimal choice.