Houston Rockets (37-25) vs. New Orleans Pelicans (17-45)
March 6, 2025 8:00 pm EDT
The Line: New Orleans Pelicans +4.5; Over/Under: 227.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Houston Rockets and the New Orleans Pelicans collide at the Smoothie King Center on Thursday 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 cooled off a bit recently as they’ve lost four of their last six games and they will be eager to arrest a three-game skid after getting routed by the Pacers in a 115-102 road defeat on Tuesday. Alperen Sengun led the team with 25 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists on 12 of 19 shooting, Tari Eason added 16 points with 14 rebounds and four assists off the bench while Amen Thompson chipped in with 13 points, 12 rebounds, and four assists. As a team, the Rockets shot just 40 percent from the field and nine of 30 from the 3-point line as they struggled to contain the Pacers from the start and fell behind by 10 points at halftime. Things only got worse in the fourth quarter where the Rockets managed just 19 points. The Rockets dominated the boards by 58-35 and grabbed a total of 24 offensive rebounds, but they shot just 40 percent from the field and 13 of 26 from the free-throw line which cost them in the end.
New Orleans Pelicans Betting Preview
Meanwhile, the New Orleans Pelicans have been in decent shape as they’ve won four of their past six games overall. But they will be hoping to bounce back here after getting trampled by the red-hot Lakers in a 136-115 road defeat on Tuesday. Zion Williamson led the team with 37 points and six assists on 17 of 23 shooting, Trey Murphy added 19 points with six rebounds and five assists while Jordan Hawkins chipped in with 17 points off the bench. As a team, the Pelicans shot 49 percent from the field and nine of 34 from the 3-point line. But their problems were on the defensive end as they allowed 69 points in the first half and at least 33 points in every quarter to end up on the wrong side of a beatdown. Williamson did his best to carry the offense as he barely missed all night, but he didn’t get enough support which meant they were always playing from behind.
Why the New Orleans Pelicans will win
- The Rockets have lost each of their last eight road games.
- The home team has won 12 of the Rockets’ last 14 games.
- The Rockets have failed to cover the spread in each of their last seven games following a road loss.
- The home team has covered the spread in seven of the Pelicans’ last eight games.
Why the Houston Rockets will win
- The Pelicans have lost each of their last nine games as underdogs against Southwest Division opponents.
- The Rockets have won nine of their last 10 night games against Southwest Division opponents.
- The Rockets have covered the spread in each of their last seven games as favorites against Southwest Division opponents following a loss.
- The Pelicans have failed to cover the spread in each of their last six games as underdogs against Southwest Division opponents.
Total Points Facts
- Seven of the Rockets’ last eight road games against Western Conference opponents have gone OVER the total points line.
- Each of the Pelicans’ last four games has gone OVER the total points line.
Pelicans vs Rockets Prediction
The Rockets are still shorthanded with Fred VanVleet still out, while the Pelicans have ruled out Herbert Jones and Dejounte Murray once again. The Rockets have really struggled to win games with the injuries they’ve had to deal with, but they are almost back to full health now, so you would expect them to start to heat up again. The Pelicans are still banged up right now, and they just got smashed by the Lakers, but they’re starting to get big games out of Williamson, who looks like one of the best players in the league when healthy. I understand why the Rockets are slight favorites on the road, but the Pelicans have been in better form and I think this is a good spot for a minor upset at home.
