NBA basketball betting has a light load Saturday with only eight games in action. But while there is less to choose from, sharp bettors can find a ton of value in these matchups:

New York Knicks at Houston Rockets

Don't look now but the Knicks have something brewing in the Big Apple. Heading into Thursday, New York had won three of its last four games. The Knicks’ offense has picked up the slack in those wins, averaging 116 points. Second-year forward Danilo Gallinari is nursing a sore back this week but is playing through the pain. He's averaging almost 15 points and stretching opposing defenses with his outside shooting touch.

The Rockets will have a couple days off to recoup after losing three straight games, most recently falling to Phoenix on Wednesday night. Houston failed to cover the NBA point spread in each of those losses, falling to 20-16 ATS on the year. Rockets backers are hoping a return home can snap this skid. They are 10-4 straight up and against the spread in the Toyota Center this season.

Minnesota Timberwolves at Chicago Bulls

The knife is still dangling above Bulls coach Vinny Del Negro. Heading into Friday's game in Milwaukee, Chicago has lost back-to-back games. Those losses aren't any fault of second-year star Derrick Rose. The point guard has been red hot this month despite nursing a tender ankle. He's averaged over 24 points in his last three games.

The Timberwolves are still struggling to climb out of the NBA basement, losing five straight games heading into Friday's contest against the Indiana Pacers. Minnesota has covered the NBA pointspread just once in that span, dropping to 17-19 ATS. The T-Wolves have struggled with slow starts, falling behind in the first half than battling back, leaving the team exhausted in the crunch.

Utah Jazz at Dallas Mavericks

Utah snapped a three game losing skid with a win over the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday night. The team wraps a home-and-home series Friday before meeting up with their Western rivals, the Dallas Mavericks. Star point guard Deron Williams is nursing an injured wrist and is listed as day-to-day heading into the weekend. The Jazz have covered in all three games without Williams this season.

The Mavericks have been up and down to start the New Year, going 2-1 but covering in only one of those games. Heading into Friday's meeting with the San Antonio Spurs, Dallas is still waiting on the status of center Erick Dampier, who has missed two games with a knee injury. While the burly defender has been on the sidelines, Drew Gooden has stepped in. He scored 10 points and grabbed 18 rebounds in a win over Detroit on Tuesday.

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