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Houston Rockets vs New Orleans Pelicans Prediction NBA Picks 12/26/24
Pick details
New Orleans Pelicans (5-25) vs Houston Rockets (20-9)
December 26, 2024 at 08:00 PM EST
The Line: Betting Odds: New Orleans Pelicans +7.5 / Houston Rockets -7.5 — Over/Under: 222.5
The Houston Rockets and New Orleans Pelicans meet Thursday in NBA action at the Smoothie King Center. Here’s a Houston Rockets vs New Orleans Pelicans Prediction. This article will include a Houston Rockets vs New Orleans Pelicans Pick.
Houston Rockets Betting Preview
The Houston Rockets beat the Hornets and Raptors, and they play the Timberwolves, Heat, and Mavericks next. The Houston Rockets are averaging 112.9 points on 44.2 percent shooting and allowing 106.3 points on 43.5 percent shooting. Jalen Green is averaging 19.1 points and 4.7 rebounds, while Alperen Sengun is averaging 18.6 points and 10.4 rebounds. Fred VanVleet is the third double-digit scorer and Dillon Brooks is grabbing 4 rebounds. The Houston Rockets are shooting 32.4 percent from beyond the arc and 77 percent from the free-throw line. The Houston Rockets are allowing 34.5 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 49.6 rebounds per game.
New Orleans Pelicans Betting Preview
The New Orleans Pelicans lost to the Knicks and Nuggets, and they play the Grizzlies, Clippers, and Heat next. The New Orleans Pelicans are averaging 105.7 points on 43.7 percent shooting and allowing 117.2 points on 48.6 percent shooting. Zion Williamson is averaging 22.7 points and 8 rebounds, while Brandon Ingram is averaging 22.2 points and 5.6 rebounds. CJ McCollum is the third double-digit scorer and Trey Murphy III is grabbing 4.7 rebounds. The New Orleans Pelicans are shooting 33.2 percent from beyond the arc and 75.7 percent from the free throw line. The New Orleans Pelicans are allowing 37.1 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 43.1 rebounds per game.
Why the Houston Rockets will win
- The Pelicans have lost each of their last nine night games following a home loss.
- The Rockets have won each of their last five night games on the first leg of a back-to-back.
- The Rockets have covered the spread in each of their last four games against Southwest Division opponents.
- The Pelicans have failed to cover the spread in each of their last four games against Rockets teams that held a winning record.
Total Points Facts
- Seven of the Rockets’ last eight games as road favorites against opponents who are on the first leg of a back-to-back have gone OVER the total points line.
- Each of the Pelicans’ last five night games against Southwest Division opponents has gone OVER the total points line.
Houston Rockets vs New Orleans Pelicans Prediction
The Houston Rockets continue to win and continue to cash tickets, as their 62 percent cover percentage is fifth best in the NBA. The New Orleans Pelicans still have issues defensively, they’re banged up, and they’re 11-19 ATS on the season despite being big underdogs night-to-night. The Rockets also beat the Pelicans by 20 points last week. It’s hard to take the Pelicans seriously until they get Ingram, Zion, and Alvarado back from injury, but by then it’s probably too late anyway to care. Give me the Rockets in a double-digit victory.
