Houston Rockets vs New Orleans Pelicans Matchup

Read our Rockets vs Pelicans prediction for this NBA regular season game in New Orleans. Check out who we like to win and cover the spread in this NBA matchup.

  • The Rockets head to New Orleans for a matchup with the Pelicans.
  • Houston has an effective field goal percentage of 50% (29th).
  • The Rockets are coming off a 114-101 win vs. the Pelicans.
  • The Pelicans will be hosting the Rockets and hold a 5-25 record.
  • The Pelicans are averaging 105.7 points per game so far.
  • The Pelicans are looking to bounce back from a loss to the Rockets.

Rockets vs Pelicans Prediction

At 8:00 ET, the 20-9 Rockets (-310) will take on the 5-25 Pelicans (+251) in a Western Southwest Division matchup. Houston is currently on a three-game win streak and is favored by 7.5 points over New Orleans. The over/under line for this game is 220.5.

This game will be played at the Smoothie King Center and can be seen on SCHN.

Rockets vs. Pelicans Matchup At A Glance

  • Sport: NBA
  • Teams: Houston Rockets at New Orleans Pelicans
  • Where: New Orleans at Smoothie King Center
  • Date: Thursday, December 26th
  • Betting Odds HOU -7.5, HOU -310 | NO +251 O/U 220.5

Rockets Preview: Do the Rockets Stand a Chance in New Orleans?

Houston improved to 20-9 on the season with a 114-101 road win over the Hornets on Monday. The Rockets, favored by six points, covered the spread, while the game’s total of 215 points fell short of the 221-point over/under line.

A 14-0 run early in the game helped Houston take control, as they outscored Charlotte 31-15 in the 1st quarter and 31-16 in the 2nd. The Hornets fought back, winning the 3rd and 4th quarters 35-30 and 35-22, but the Rockets’ 92-66 lead heading into the final period proved too much to overcome.

Jabari Smith Jr. led the Rockets with 21 points and 11 rebounds in their win over the Hornets, shooting 50% from the field and hitting 2 threes at 40%. Fred VanVleet added 20 points and 6 assists, also shooting 50% and making 3 threes at 37.5%. Amen Thompson contributed 19 points and 11 rebounds, shooting 50% and hitting 2 threes at 33.3%.

Houston made 13 threes as a team, shooting 31% from beyond the arc, with an overall field goal percentage of 43.4%. VanVleet scored 12 of his 20 points in the first quarter, while Smith had 8 points in the 3rd, and Cam Whitmore added 8 of his 17 points in the 4th.

The Rockets set the tone defensively early, giving up just 15 points in the 1st quarter and 16 in the 2nd, helping them secure a 114-101 win over the Hornets. Despite a rough 3rd quarter where they allowed 35 points, Houston managed to hold Charlotte to 101 points overall.

Houston's defense limited the Hornets to 41% shooting from the field and just 27% from beyond the arc, with Charlotte hitting only 10 threes. The Rockets also recorded 8 blocks in the game.

Pelicans Preview: Can New Orleans Secure a Home Victory?

The Rockets improved to 20-9 this season with a 114-101 road win over the Hornets on Monday. Houston, favored by six points, covered the spread, while the game’s total of 215 points fell just short of the 221-point over/under line.

A key 14-0 run helped Houston take control early, as they outscored Charlotte 31-15 in the 1st quarter and 31-16 in the 2nd. The Hornets made a push in the 2nd half, winning both the 3rd and 4th quarters 35-30, but the Rockets’ 92-66 lead going into the final period proved insurmountable.

In their 132-129 loss to the Nuggets, the Pelicans shot 46.3% from the field and 30% from three, hitting 12 threes overall. Jordan Hawkins led the way with 25 points, including 5 made threes at a 38.5% clip.

CJ McCollum added 24 points and 9 assists, knocking down 4 threes at 40%. Yves Missi was efficient, scoring 21 points on 75% shooting, with 9 of his points coming in the 3rd quarter.

Despite a strong defensive effort in the 3rd quarter, where they held the Nuggets to 22 points, the Pelicans gave up 38 points in the 4th, leading to a 132-129 loss. New Orleans allowed Denver to shoot 50% from the field.

The Pelicans did a good job defending the three, holding the Nuggets to 10 made threes on 30% shooting. They also recorded 16 steals and 9 blocks in the game.

Rockets vs Pelicans Betting Odds, Trends & Analysis

  • In their last five games away from home, the Rockets have a straight up record of 3-2 while going 2-3 vs the spread. The team averaged 106 points per game in this stretch.
  • Across the Pelicans last ten home games, the team averaged 102 points per game while allowing 121. Their record vs the spread in these contests was 3-7, while going 0-10 straight-up.
  • Spanning across their last three games as the betting underdog, the Pelicans have gone 1-2 vs the spread. Their overall record in these games was 0-3.
  • Through their last three games as the favorite, the Rockets have an ATS record of 2-1 and a straight up mark of 3-0.

Rockets vs Pelicans Prediction

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