NBA Picks

Rockets vs Pelicans Pick – NBA Predictions & Odds 3/17/23

New Orleans Pelicans (33-36) vs. Houston Rockets (17-52)
March 17, 2023 8:00 pm EDT
The Line: Houston Rockets +5.5; Over/Under: +232.5
(Get latest betting odds)

The New Orleans Pelicans invade the Toyota Center to take on the Houston Rockets on Friday night.

The New Orleans Pelicans have been in poor form as they’ve lost eight of their last 11 games overall and they will be looking to bounce back after getting routed by the Lakers in a 123-108 loss on Tuesday. Brandon Ingram led the team with 22 points and six assists on nine of 17 shooting, Herbert Jones and Trey Murphy each scored 20 points while CJ McCollum chipped in with 13 points and nine assists. As a team, the Pelicans shot 42 percent from the field and 11 of 43 from the 3-point line as they struggled right from the start and never looked in the contest after getting demolished by 75-40 in a nightmare of a first half.

Meanwhile, the Houston Rockets have sprung to life with four wins in their last seven games overall and they will be gunning for a season-high third straight win after taking down the Lakers in a 114-110 upset win on Wednesday. Kevin Porter Jr. led the team with 27 points, nine rebounds and six assists, Jabari Smith Jr added 18 points while Kenyon Martin Jr. chipped in with 16 points, eight rebounds and three assists. As a team, the Rockets shot 52 percent from the field and eight of 29 from the 3-point line as they jumped all over the Lakers at the start and outscored them by 31-19 in the first quarter to take an 18-point lead which proved to be just enough in the end as the Lakers rallied to make it interesting in the final minutes.

Looking at the betting trends, the Pelicans are 1-5 ATS in their last six road games, 2-5 ATS in their last seven games against a team with a losing record and 3-8 ATS in their last 11 games overall. The Rockets are 3-1-1 ATS in their last five home games, 4-0-1 ATS in their last five games against a team with a losing record and 3-0-1 ATS in their last four games overall.

Head to head, the over is 5-1-1 in the last seven meetings in Houston, the Pelicans are 5-2 ATS in the last seven meetings in Houston and the Pelicans are 5-0 ATS in the last five meetings overall.

The Pelicans are still without Zion Williamson and Jose Alvarado, while the Rockets don’t have a single player listed on the injury report. The Pelicans are coming into this game in poor form and low on confidence after getting thrashed by the Lakers in their last outing, so they would love to earn a win to get their season back on track. The Rockets have come to life with a couple of wins in a row and they were good enough to get past the shorthanded Lakers in their last outing. It’s hard to back either of these two teams with any confidence, but the Pelicans are 5-0 ATS in the last five meetings overall and I think they get a much-needed win in this one.

Peter Tran's Free Pick: New Orleans -5.5

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Peter Tran

Peter Trans is an acclaimed Expert NBA Handicapper, renowned for his insightful analysis and predictions in the world of professional basketball. With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the game, Peter has established himself as a trusted authority among basketball enthusiasts and bettors alike. His expertise is showcased on SportsChatPlace.com, where he provides in-depth game analyses, betting tips, and forecasts that are both highly informative and remarkably accurate.

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