Houston Rockets — CLEAN (no new injuries):
No last-minute additions to the Rockets' injury report. Kevin Durant is confirmed available and expected to start; his points prop is set at 25.5 as of Tuesday afternoon (FanDuel Research, Mar 31). No load management concerns noted.
New York Knicks — Two Players Listed:
New York Knicks: PG Jalen Brunson | SG Josh Hart | SF Mikal Bridges | PF OG Anunoby | C Karl-Anthony Towns Houston Rockets: PG Amen Thompson | SG Reed Sheppard | SF Kevin Durant | PF Jabari Smith Jr. | C Alperen Sengun
No changes from the expected lineups. Jordan Clarkson and Josh Hart will handle bench roles for New York.
The game opened with New York -1.5 and the total at 218.5. As of Tuesday, the line has flipped to Houston -1.5 (DraftKings, via NBC Sports), with the total ticking down to 217.5. That is a 3-point swing toward the Rockets, suggesting sharp or informed money moving to Houston at home. The moneyline sits at Houston -112 / New York -108 — essentially a pick'em despite Houston being listed as the spread favorite (NBC Sports, Mar 31). Some books (LVSB) show Houston ML as low as -105.
The most important last-24-hour development for New York is the cloud hanging over Miles McBride. McBride returned from sports hernia/pelvic core muscle surgery on March 29 vs. OKC (his first game back after missing 28 games), but exited in the third quarter after what appeared to be a collision with Lu Dort that aggravated his groin/core area. He has been re-listed as Questionable (pelvic core muscle surgery / undisclosed) for tonight, per Stefan Bondy of the New York Post, Steve Popper of Newsday, and confirmed by FanDuel Research (Day-to-Day) and RotoWire (est. return listed as 3/31).
Multiple sources (ClutchPoints, Yahoo/SI, Posting & Toasting, Heavy.com) note that the questionable tag — rather than "Out" — is considered a relief for the Knicks, suggesting he has a realistic chance to play. However, even if active, he will almost certainly be on a strict minutes restriction. No confirmation of his playing status has been reported as of the last available updates; this remains a true game-time decision.
Landry Shamet (knee — right tibial plateau contusion) remains OUT, unchanged from yesterday's report (AM 1300 The Zone, Yahoo Sports/SI injury report, Posting & Toasting).
Houston's injury report is clean beyond its two long-term absences: Fred VanVleet (Out — ACL) and Steven Adams (Out — left ankle surgery). Both have been sidelined the majority of the season and there are no new injury additions. Rockets coach Ime Udoka has a full roster otherwise available (AM 1300 The Zone, Yahoo Sports/SI).
No surprise lineup changes reported. NBC Sports confirms the expected starters:
Note: Sheppard has taken over the starting role from Tari Eason after Eason's slump, though Eason has responded with 31 combined points and 15 rebounds over the last two games (Covers.com preview).
The line has moved meaningfully in the last 24 hours. The game (NBC Sports/DraftKings). As of today, the spread has tightened or flipped depending on the book:
The line movement from NYK -1.5 toward a near pick 'em — and on DraftKings appearing to flip slightly to Houston — is consistent with sharp action on the Rockets, likely influenced by the McBride injury uncertainty and the Knicks' 0-2 road trip start. The total has also ticked down a half-point from 218.5 to 217.5.
New York has dropped its last two (0-2 on this road trip), including Sunday's loss to OKC after winning seven straight. They've clinched a top-6 playoff spot but are still competing for the 3-seed (1.0 game ahead of Cleveland). The Knicks are 0-4 SU and 0-4 ATS since March 8 against winning-record opponents (Odds Shark). Houston has won two in a row by an average of 21 points and is 25-10 at home (5th-best in the NBA), fighting to avoid slipping further from the 4-seed in the West (Covers.com, NBC Sports).
No reports of suspensions, travel issues, personal matters, or rest/load management decisions for any key players on either roster found in sources from the past 24 hours.