Houston Rockets (44-29) vs. New Orleans Pelicans (25-50)
March 29, 2026 7:00 pm EDT
The Line: New Orleans Pelicans +5.5; Over/Under: 225.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Houston Rockets and the New Orleans Pelicans duke it out at the Smoothie King Center on Sunday night. Here’s a Pelicans vs. Rockets Prediction. This article will include a Pelicans vs. Rockets Pick.
Houston Rockets Betting Preview
The Houston Rockets have been in decent shape as they’ve split their last 10 games overall and they will be eager to build some momentum after taking down the shorthanded Grizzlies in a 119-109 road win on Friday. Kevin Durant led the team with 25 points and 10 assists; Jabari Smith Jr. added 21 points with 16 rebounds and four assists, while Amen Thompson chipped in with 18 points, eight rebounds and three assists. As a team, the Rockets shot 47 percent from the field and 12 of 33 from the 3-point line as they played great defense to limit the Grizzlies to just 19 points in the second quarter, but this was a battle till the end as the Rockets never led by just three points midway through the fourth quarter.
New Orleans Pelicans Betting Preview
Meanwhile, the New Orleans Pelicans have gone cold recently as they are now on a four-game losing streak after getting thrashed by the Raptors in a 119-106 road defeat on Friday. Zion Williamson led the team with 22 points, seven rebounds and four assists; Saddiq Bey added 19 points on six of 12 shooting, while Derik Queen chipped in with 13 points off the bench. As a team, the Pelicans shot 42 percent from the field and seven of 28 from the 3-point line as they got off to a slow start and managed just 19 points in the second quarter to trail by as many as 22 points, which was always too much for them to overcome on a poor shooting night. Jeremiah Fears had a quiet game of just 10 points on three of 12 shots while Herbert Jones scored just two points on one of eight shots.
Why the New Orleans Pelicans will win
- The Rockets have lost each of their last six games as road favorites against Western Conference opponents following a win.
- The Pelicans have won each of their last six home games against Western Conference opponents.
- The Rockets have failed to cover the spread in each of their last 10 road games against Western Conference opponents that held a losing record.
- The Pelicans have covered the spread in each of their last nine games against Southwest Division opponents.
Why the Houston Rockets will win
- The Pelicans have lost each of their last 19 games as home underdogs following a road loss.
- The Rockets have won nine of their last 10 games against Western Conference opponents that held a losing record.
- The Pelicans have failed to cover the spread in each of their last five games as home underdogs against Western Conference opponents following a loss.
- The favorites have covered the spread in eight of the Rockets’ last 10 games at Smoothie King Center.
Total Points: Facts
- Each of the Pelicans’ last six home games against Western Conference opponents has gone UNDER the total points line.
- Seven of the Rockets’ last eight games as favorites following a road win have gone UNDER the total points line.
Pelicans vs Rockets Prediction
The Rockets have ruled out Fred VanVleet and Steven Adams again, while the Pelicans have ruled out Bryce McGowens with Dejounte Murray and Trey Murphy III both questionable. The Rockets have already beaten the Pelicans in two out of three meetings this season and they are heading into this matchup as the hotter team overall. The Pelicans are certainly capable of pulling off the upset at home, but I was hoping for more points from the bookies. With that being said, the line is short enough for me to take the Rockets to get the win and cover on the road.
