New York Knicks vs Houston Rockets Preview: Who Will Win the Battle On the Boards?

Kimberly McClary
New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks forward Og Anunoby (8) dunks past Houston Rockets forward Dorian Finney-Smith (2)

The New York Knicks will play their second-to-last game on their four-game road trip tonight against the Houston Rockets, which will be the second and final meeting between these two teams this season. The Knicks lead the season series 1-0 after a 108-106 comeback victory on Feb. 21, where they erased an 18-point fourth-quarter deficit. They will be looking to bounce back from a 111-100 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday. 

Sitting in the sixth spot in the Western Conference, the Rockets are coming off a dominant 134-102 road win against the New Orleans Pelicans, and have had a strong home presence this season with a 25-10 record. 

Game Details

Date: Tuesday, March 31, 2026

Time: 8:00 p.m. EDT

Location: Toyota Center in Houston, TX

TV/Streaming: NBC and MSG Network/Peacock, Fubo, YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, DIRECTV STREAM

Odds: Spread: Knicks -1.5, Rockets +1.5; Moneyline: Knicks -112, Rockets -108, Total (O/U): 218.5 

Team Form & Recent Results

Knicks Form (48-27)

  • They have gone 3-2 in their last five games, are currently on a two-game losing streak, and lost their last matchup against the Thunder on March 29, 111-100. 
  • In their last five games, they have an elite offensive ceiling led by Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns, but they have struggled with defensive consistency and bench production.
  • Strengths: perimeter shooting, star power consistency, starting lineup efficiency
  • Weaknesses: bench scoring depth, defensive lapses on the road, secondary playmaking, susceptibility to smaller defenders
  • Injuries: Landry Shamet-Out (right knee tibial plateau contusion); Miles McBride-Questionable (pelvic core muscle injury)

Rockets Form (45-29)

  • They have gone 3-2 in their last five games, are on a two-game winning streak, and won their last matchup against the Pelicans on March 29, 134-102.
  • In their last five games, they have showcased an explosive offense and dominant rebounding, though they remain vulnerable to high turnover rates and late-game execution issues.
  • Strengths: high-octane offense, star production and depth, elite rebounding, defensive interior presence
  • Weaknesses: turnover troubles, late-game/overtime execution, free-throw inconsistency, perimeter playmaking
  • Injuries: Fred VanVleet-Out for the Season (right knee ACL repair); Steven Adams-Out for the Season (left ankle surgery)

Key Players To Watch

Knicks

Brunson has historically thrived against the Rockets, averaging 29.6 points over their last five meetings. The Knicks’ other star, Towns, is currently second in the NBA in rebounding at 11.9 boards per game and scored 25 points in the previous win over the Rockets this season. Forward OG Anunoby has found his offensive rhythm lately, averaging 18.8 points in March. 

Guard Mikal Bridges provides essential three-point production as well as secondary playmaking, averaging 3.8 APG. Center Mitchell Robinson has been called on by Head Coach Mike Brown as of late due to his shot blocking and rebounding abilities. 

Projected Starting Lineup:

  1. Jalen Brunson (PG)
  2. Mikal Bridges (SG)
  3. Josh Hart Mikal Bridges (SF)
  4. OG Anunoby (PF)
  5. Karl-Anthony Towns (C)

Rockets

In his last meeting against the Knicks, Durant put up 30 points. He is averaging 25.9 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 4.6 assists this season and remains the Rockets’ focal point. Sengun is a versatile anchor who leads the team in rebounding and blocks, while scoring 20.7 points. He is coming off a dominant 36-point, 13-rebound game against the Pelicans.

Amen Thompson has taken over significant playmaking duties since the injury suffered by VanVleet, and is averaging 17.9 points and 7.9 rebounds, recently recording a triple-double. Guard Reed Sheppard has become the Rockets’ top active three-point threat, knocking down 2.7 threes per game. He is averaging 13.4 points and ranks high in steals with 1.5 per game. 

Recently ceding his starting position to Sheppard, Forward Tari Eason remains a key rotation piece for the Rockets, averaging 12.2 points and providing a spark off the bench.

Projected Starting Lineup:

  1. Amen Thompson (PG)
  2. Reed Sheppard (SG)
  3. Jabari Smith Jr. (SF)
  4. Kevin Durant (PF)
  5. Alperen Sengun (C)

Who Will Win the Battle On the Boards?

This contest will feature a major clash in rebounding, as both teams currently lead the league in rebounding rate for March. The Knicks’ defense, which has been elite all season, is currently navigating some recent struggles while on the road. The victory will come down to who wins the battle on the boards.

Knicks Offense vs Rockets Defense

The Knicks rely heavily on perimeter shooting, ranking fourth in the league in 3PT percentage at 37.5%. The Rockets lead the league in blocks per game at 5.8 and rank fifth in opponent field goal percentage. This game features a clash of styles in the paint. While the Rockets lead the NBA in total rebounding at 48.3 per game, the Knicks frontcourt is one of the few units capable of matching the Rockets’ physicality on the boards.

Head Coach Ime Udoka’s defensive strategy often involves aggressive help rotations, which could open up kick-out opportunities for the Knicks’ shooters if they remain patient.

Rockets Offense vs Knicks Defense

While the Rockets’ biggest offensive weapon is their rebounding, the Knicks’ defense thrives when they limit opponents to one shot. The Rockets prefer a faster tempo of play and rank in the top 10 for pace. The Knicks’ defensive identity is built on slowing the game down and forcing teams into contested late-clock jumpers. 

With Sheppard shooting 46.3% from deep, the Knicks’ perimeter defenders cannot afford to sag off to help in the paint. 

Prediction

Predicted Winner: Rockets

Projected Score: Rockets 112, Knicks 109

Win Probability: ESPN BPI favors the Knicks with a 57% win probability; BetMGM Model predicts a Rockets victory with 51.0% confidence; SportsLine Simulations favor the Rockets to win 53% of simulations; FanDuel Research projects the Rockets as favorites with a 54.96% win probability; and RealGM/Implied Probability based on a -111 moneyline, the Knicks have an implied probability of 53%

Over/Under: 218.5 points

What To Expect In Tonight’s Matchup?

The Knicks-Rockets game is expected to be a highly competitive game defined by elite rebounding and star-level isolation scoring. The Knicks will aim to slow the game down and minimize turnovers, while the Rockets will prefer a faster transition-heavy pace. The Knicks came out with the victory in their previous meeting, 108-106 on a late comeback surge, so it’s possible to see more of the same in tonight’s showdown.