New Orleans Pelicans vs Houston Rockets Prediction NBA Picks

Houston Rockets (38-25) vs New Orleans Pelicans (17-46)

March 8, 2025 at 07:00 PM EST

The Line: Betting Odds: Houston Rockets -7.5 — Over/Under: 227.5

The New Orleans Pelicans and the Houston Rockets battle once again at the Toyota Center on Saturday 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 Betting Preview

The New Orleans Pelicans have cooled off a bit recently as they’ve lost three of their last four games overall. They will be hoping to avoid a third straight defeat after getting routed by the Rockets in a 109-97 loss on Thursday. Trey Murphy led the team with 26 points on nine of 15 shooting, Zion Williamson added 20 points with 10 rebounds and two blocks while CJ McCollum chipped in with 13 points. As a team, the Pelicans shot 37 percent from the field and nine of 27 from the 3-point line as they worked hard to take the narrow lead into halftime. Before they saw all their hard work go to waste in the third quarter where they got outscored by 17. 33-15. Williamson had a quiet game by his standards, but the Pelicans needed a lot more from their role players as no one on the bench scored more than seven points. The Pels will face the Grizzlies, Clippers, and Magic following this one.

Houston Rockets Betting Preview

Meanwhile, the Houston Rockets have been in decent shape as they’ve won six of their last 11 games overall. They will be eager to build some momentum after snapping a three-game skid with a solid win over the Pelicans on Thursday. Alperen Sengun led the team with 22 points and eight assists, Amen Thompson added 21 points with 11 rebounds on 10 of 13 shooting while Tari Eason chipped in with 20 points, four assists, and five steals. As a team, the Rockets shot 56 percent from the field and nine of 29 from the 3-point line as they battled with the Pelicans in a closely contested first half. Before they played excellent defense to restrict the Pelicans to just 15 points in the third quarter to take a 17-point lead. The Rockets will take on the Magic, Suns, Mavs, and Bulls after this game.

Why the Houston Rockets will win

The Pelicans have lost each of their last 13 road games against Western Conference opponents that held a winning record.
The Rockets have won each of their last seven games at Toyota Center against Southwest Division opponents that held a losing record.
The Rockets have covered the spread in each of their last seven games at Toyota Center against Southwest Division opponents that held a losing record.
The Pelicans have failed to cover the spread in each of their last seven games as underdogs against Southwest Division opponents.

Why the New Orleans Pelicans will win

The Rockets have lost six of their last seven Saturday games as favorites.
The Pelicans have won three of their last four games on the first leg of a back-to-back against the Rockets.
The Rockets have failed to cover the spread in eight of their last nine games at Toyota Center following a win.
The Pelicans have covered the spread in four of their last five road games against the Rockets following a home loss.

Total Points Facts

Seven of the Pelicans’ last eight road games have gone OVER the total points line.
Five of the Rockets’ last six games against opponents who are on the first leg of a back-to-back have gone OVER the total points line.