Rockets vs Pelicans Prediction NBA Picks 2/22/24

New Orleans Pelicans (33-22) vs Houston Rockets (24-30)

Game Info: Thursday, February 22, 2024 at 8:00 pm (Smoothie King Center)

Betting Odds: New Orleans Pelicans -6.5 -- Over/Under: 227 Click Here for the Latest Odds

The Houston Rockets need a win after losing 5 of their last 6 games. The New Orleans Pelicans are riding a 3-game winning streak. Let’s preview this game and give out a Houston Rockets vs New Orleans Pelicans prediction.

Houston Rockets Betting Preview

The Houston Rockets recently lost to the Hawks and Grizzlies, while beating the Knicks. The Houston Rockets are averaging 113.3 points on 46.2 percent shooting and allowing 112.7 points on 46.1 percent shooting. Alperen Sengun is averaging 21.2 points and 9.1 rebounds, while Jalen Green is averaging 18 points and 4.8 rebounds. Fred VanVleet is the third double-digit scorer and Dillon Brooks is grabbing 3.5 rebounds. The Houston Rockets are shooting 35.1 percent from beyond the arc and 77.2 percent from the free throw line. The Houston Rockets are allowing 34.7 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 45.7 rebounds per game.

New Orleans Pelicans Betting Preview

The New Orleans Pelicans are coming off wins over the Trail Blazers, Grizzlies, and Wizards. The New Orleans Pelicans are averaging 116.5 points on 48.9 percent shooting and allowing 112.2 points on 46.5 percent shooting. Zion Williamson is averaging 22.4 points and 5.5 rebounds, while Brandon Ingram is averaging 21.4 points and 5 rebounds. CJ McCollum is the third double-digit scorer and Jonas Valanciunas is grabbing 9.4 rebounds. The New Orleans Pelicans are shooting 37.7 percent from beyond the arc and 76.6 percent from the free throw line. The New Orleans Pelicans are allowing 34.6 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 44.2 rebounds per game.

New Orleans Pelicans Player Facts

C.J. McCollum ranks 4th amongst qualified players for three-pointers made Per Game (3.4) this season.
Zion Williamson ranks 5th in the Western Conference amongst qualified players for FG% (58.5%) this season.

Houston Rockets Player Facts

Fred VanVleet ranks 3rd amongst qualified players for assist:turnover ratio (5.1) this season.
Alperen Sengun ranks 3rd amongst qualified Centers for assists per game (5.0) this season.

Matchup/League Facts

The Pelicans rank 1st in the league for opponent three-point percentage this season (34.6%).
The Pelicans rank 2nd in the league for steals per game this season (8.4).
The Rockets rank 1st in the league for opponent free throw percentage this season (74.6%).
The Rockets rank 3rd in the league for opponent three-point percentage this season (34.7%).

Houston Rockets vs New Orleans Pelicans prediction

The Houston Rockets aren't playing much defense, and they're not a team I'm eager to get behind as the losses continue to pile up. The New Orleans Pelicans have quietly played some impressive ball over the last month, and they're now a profitable 30-24-1 ATS on the season. The Pels beat the Rockets by 11 points on the road a few weeks ago. The line is somewhat reasonable. Give me the Pelicans and the chalk.