The New Orleans Pelicans and Houston Rockets meet Sunday in NBA action at the Toyota Center. Here’s a Rockets vs Pelicans Prediction. This article will include a Rockets vs Pelicans Pick.
New Orleans Pelicans Betting Preview
The New Orleans Pelicans lost to the Pacers, beat the Nets, and they play the Pistons next. The Pelicans have lost 12 of their last 14 games.
The New Orleans Pelicans are averaging 114.9 points on 46.4 percent shooting and allowing 122.2 points on 48.6 percent shooting. Zion Williamson is averaging 22.4 points and 5.7 rebounds, while Trey Murphy III is averaging 22.2 points and 6.2 rebounds. Jordan Poole is the third double-digit scorer and Saddiq Bey is dishing 2.3 assists. The New Orleans Pelicans are shooting 34.1 percent from beyond the arc and 78.2 percent from the free-throw line. The New Orleans Pelicans are allowing 36.1 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 43.5 rebounds per game.
Houston Rockets Betting Preview
The Houston Rockets lost to the Thunder, beat the Timberwolves, and they play the Spurs next. The Rockets have lost 4 of their last 6 games.
The Houston Rockets are averaging 117.3 points on 47.8 percent shooting and allowing 110.8 points on 46.2 percent shooting. Kevin Durant is averaging 26.1 points and 5.3 rebounds, while Alperen Sengun is averaging 21.7 points and 8.9 rebounds. Amen Thompson is the third double-digit scorer, and Jabari Smith Jr. is grabbing 6.9 rebounds. The Houston Rockets are shooting 36.3 percent from beyond the arc and 76.8 percent from the free-throw line. The Houston Rockets are allowing 35.6 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 49.4 rebounds per game.
Why the Houston Rockets will win
- The Pelicans have lost each of their last 12 road games against teams that held a winning record.
- The Rockets have won each of their last 10 home games against Southwest Division opponents that held a losing record.
- The favorites have covered the spread in each of the Pelicans’ last 10 games.
- The Pelicans have failed to cover the spread in each of their last eight games as underdogs.
Why the New Orleans Pelicans will win
- The Rockets have lost each of their last five games as favorites against Western Conference opponents following a win.
- The Rockets have failed to cover the spread in each of their last nine games against Western Conference opponents that held a losing record.
- The Pelicans have covered the spread in six of their last seven games against Southwest Division opponents.
Total Points Facts
- Each of the Rockets’ last eight games against Western Conference opponents have gone UNDER the total points line.
- Six of the Pelicans’ last seven games against the Rockets following a road loss have gone UNDER the total points line.
Houston Rockets Player Facts
- Kevin Durant is the only qualified player in the league to be leading their team in blocks per game (1.0) and free-throw percentage (88.7%) this season.
- Alperen Sengun has recorded 13+ rebounds in two consecutive appearances – equal-longest active streak of any player in the league.
New Orleans Pelicans Player Facts
- Jeremiah Fears is one of only five players in the league to have recorded 7+ steals in a game this season.
- Derik Queen is one of only five players to have made 8+ field goals without a miss in a game this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Rockets rank 1st in the league for rebounds per game this season (49.2).
- The Rockets rank 1st in the league for opponent rebounds per game this season (38.4).
- The Pelicans have recorded the largest comeback win from a HT deficit this season – trailed by 22 points vs Rockets on December 18.
- The Pelicans rank 30th in the league for H2 win percentage this season (29.5%).
Rockets vs Pelicans Injury Report
The Rockets will be without Fred VanVleet. Tari Eason is questionable.
The Pelicans will be without Dejounte Murray, Herbert Jones, and Jose Alvarado.
Rockets vs Pelicans Prediction
I’m not running to the window to back the Pelicans as much as the next guy, as they’re 2-8 SU and ATS in their last 10 games. However, let’s not act like the Rockets are lighting the world on fire. The Rockets have been subpar over the last couple of weeks, and they’re 2-8 ATS in their last 10 games as well. Now we’re supposed to lay double-digit points just because the Pelicans stink? Not over here. Since December 21, the Rockets are 1-4 ATS as a double-digit favorite, and 2 of those failed covers were outright losses. The Pels also beat the Rockets in overtime a month ago. Give me the points.