Houston Rockets (17-9) vs New Orleans Pelicans (5-22)
December 19, 2024 at 08:00 PM EST
The Line: Betting Odds: Houston Rockets -10.5 — Over/Under: 218.5
The Houston Rockets play host to the New Orleans Pelicans at the Toyota Center on Thursday night. Here’s a New Orleans Pelicans vs Houston Rockets Prediction. This article will include a New Orleans Pelicans vs Houston Rockets Pick.
New Orleans Pelicans
The New Orleans Pelicans have been one of the most disappointing teams this season as they’ve lost 22 of their first 27 games and they will be looking to avoid a fifth straight defeat after getting routed by the Pacers in a 119-104 road defeat on Sunday. Brandon Boston led the team with 20 points off the bench, Herbert Jones and Dejounte Murray each scored 19 points while Trey Murphy chipped in with 16 points. As a team, the Pelicans shot just 39 percent from the field and 10 of 33 from the 3-point line as they struggled to score early and managed just 14 points in the second quarter to fall behind by as many as 25 points before they rallied late to keep the final scores respectable.
Houston Rockets
Meanwhile, the Houston Rockets have been in decent form as they’ve won five of their last eight games overall, but they will be eager to bounce back after having their two-game win streak halted by the Thunder in a 111-96 road defeat on Saturday. Amen Thompson led the team with 19 points on nine of 15 shooting off the bench, Jabari Smith Jr and Dillon Brooks each scored 14 points while Alperen Sengun chipped in with 13 points, 11 rebounds, and two steals. As a team, the Rockets shot just 36 percent from the field and 11 of 46 from the 3-point line as they played great defense early on and held the Thunder to just 18 points in the first quarter to take the early lead, only to get blown out by 70-54 in the second half. Dillon Brooks was battling foul trouble all night and shot just five of 17 from the field, while Fred VanVleet shot just three of 15 from the field to finish with just eight points.
Why the Houston Rockets will win
- The Pelicans have lost each of their last 12 games at Toyota Center when playing with a rest disadvantage.
- The Rockets have won 12 of their last 13 games when playing with a rest advantage against the Pelicans.
- The Rockets have covered the spread in 10 of their last 11 games at Toyota Center against teams that held a losing record.
- The Pelicans have failed to cover the spread in each of their last five games as road underdogs following a road loss.
Total Points Facts
- Seven of the last eight night games between the Pelicans and Rockets have gone UNDER the total points line.
- Each of the Pelicans’ last five night games against the Rockets following a road loss have gone UNDER the total points line.
Houston Rockets Player Facts
- Fred VanVleet ranks 5th amongst qualified players for assist:turnover ratio (4.5) this season.
- Amen Thompson ranks 4th amongst qualified Guards for rebounds per game (7.0) this season.
New Orleans Pelicans Player Facts
- C.J. McCollum ranks 27th amongst qualified players for three-pointers made Per Game (2.8) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Rockets rank 1st in the league for offensive rebounds per game this season (14.1).
- The Rockets rank 1st in the league for field goal attempts per game this season (94.0).
- The New Orleans Pelicans are the only team to lose a home game against the Raptors this season.
- The Pelicans rank 30th in the league for true shooting percentage this season (53.3%).
New Orleans Pelicans vs Houston Rockets Prediction
The Pelicans are still missing Jordan Hawkins, Brandon Ingram, and Zion Williamson, while the Rockets are keeping an eye on Steven Adams who is currently listed as day-to-day. The Pelicans are still capable of pulling off the upset on the road, but the Rockets open as clear favorites at home and I think they bounce back with a much-needed home win in this spot.