The set-up: Houston will have to be careful not to have a letdown here after its big road win over the Celtics. The Knicks are looking ahead to next year and have been for a while, but after breaking a six-game slide with a victory over Chicago last time out, the home side isn't going to simply roll over here. And clearly the last thing the Knicks can do is to turn this into a track meet and expect to hang with the high-flying Rockets. When looking at this one from a situational stand point, in my opinion it sets up as more of a "chess match," than a "shootout."

The pick: Also note that Houston has seen the total go under the number in ten of 12 already this season after allowing 110 points or more in three straight games, while New York has seen the total dip below in 14 of 20 this season as a home dog. This number is a tad high.

10* TOTAL OF THE WEEK on the UNDER Rockets/Knicks.