Houston Rockets vs New Orleans Pelicans Prediction 3/6/25 NBA Picks

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 lost to the Pacers and Thunder, and they play the Magic, Suns, and Mavericks next. The Rockets are 5-11 since January 30 and have dropped to the fifth seed in the West.

The Houston Rockets are averaging 112.7 points on 44.6 percent shooting and allowing 109.4 points on 45.6 percent shooting. Jalen Green is averaging 21.4 points and 4.4 rebounds, while Alperen Sengun is averaging 19.2 points and 10.5 rebounds. Fred VanVleet is the third double-digit scorer and Amen Thompson is grabbing 8.3 rebounds. The Houston Rockets are shooting 34.4 percent from beyond the arc and 74.3 percent from the free-throw line. The Houston Rockets are allowing 35.2 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 48.3 rebounds per game.

New Orleans Pelicans Betting Preview 

The New Orleans Pelicans beat the Jazz, lost to the Lakers, and they play the Grizzlies, Clippers, and Magic next. The Pelicans have seen five of their 17 wins come in their last eight games. Six of the Pelicans’ last eight wins have come at home.

The New Orleans Pelicans are averaging 111 points on 45.1 percent shooting and allowing 119 points on 48.2 percent shooting. Zion Williamson is averaging 24.8 points and 7.3 rebounds, while CJ McCollum is averaging 21.7 points and 3.7 rebounds. Trey Murphy III is the third double-digit scorer and Brandon Boston is grabbing 3.2 rebounds. The New Orleans Pelicans are shooting 34.6 percent from beyond the arc and 76 percent from the free throw line. The New Orleans Pelicans are allowing 36.7 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 43.5 rebounds per game.

Why the New Orleans Pelicans will win

• The Rockets have lost each of their last six road games following a loss.
• The Pelicans have won each of their last three games at Smoothie King Center.
• The Rockets have failed to cover the spread in each of their last six games at Smoothie King Center following a loss.
• The Pelicans have covered the spread in four of their last five games at Smoothie King Center.

Why the Houston Rockets will win

• The Pelicans have lost 19 of their last 21 games against teams that held a winning record.
• The Rockets have won each of their last seven games as favorites against Southwest Division opponents.
• The Rockets have covered the spread in nine of their last 10 night games against Southwest Division opponents.
• The Pelicans have failed to cover the spread in eight of their last nine games against Western Conference opponents that held a winning record.

Houston Rockets vs New Orleans Pelicans Injury Report 

The Pelicans will be without Dejounte Murray, Brandon Boston, and Herbert Jones.

The Rockets will be without Fred VanVleet due to an ankle injury. 

Houston Rockets vs New Orleans Pelicans Prediction

The Houston Rockets are the better team and should win, but they’ve also cooled off over the last month and aren’t a team I’m excited to lay points with especially on the road. The Pelicans have played their best ball of the season over the last month and Zion is coming off a ridiculous performance against the Lakers. The Pelicans have seen 11 of their 17 wins come at home this season. The Rockets are a young team that’s clearly having issues with consistency and dealing with expectations. I want the points with the Pelicans on Thursday night.