Rockets vs. Pelicans Prediction
Can the Houston Rockets go on the road and continue their hot streak when they face the New Orleans Pelicans tonight at 7PM ET?
533 Houston Rockets vs. 534 New Orleans Pelicans
Saturday, December 29, 2018
7PM ET – Smoothie King Center
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Public Betting Trends
According to oddsmakers at BetNow.eu, the Rockets are favored on the road, as they are getting odds of -2 points against the Pelicans. The over/under total for the contest is listed at 228.5 points. The public betting for this game currently has 71 percent going on the Rockets on the road. This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our NBA Public Betting Page for updated figures on the game.
Rockets on a roll
Houston has won three straight, including a 127-113 win over Boston on Thursday. They have also won eight of their last nine overall and are 7-1-1 against the spread in this 9-game stretch. The Rockets are 19-15 on the season, 7-10 on the road, 16-17-1 against the spread and 19-15 with the over.
On the season, Houston is averaging 109.8 points per game, but the Rockets are scoring 116.8 per contest over their last five games. Defensively, the Rockets are giving up 108.6 per game. Chris Paul remains out for the team until mid-January with a hamstring injury. He has been averaging 15.6 points and 8.0 assists per contest. James Harden is leading the team with 32.7 points, 5.5 rebounds and 8.3 assists per contest.
Pelicans get win at home
The Pelicans snapped a five-game losing streak last night with a 114-112 win over Dallas. The Pelicans have failed to cover the spread in four straight. New Orleans is 16-20 on the season, 12-5 at home, 15-21 against the spread and 19-17 with the over.
New Orleans has the second-highest scoring offense in the NBA, averaging 116.3 points per game while shooting 47.5 percent from the field. Defensively, the Pelicans struggle, giving up 115.5 points per game. Forward Nikola Mirotic is questionable for tonight’s game with an ankle injury. He has been averaging 17.4 points and 9.2 rebounds per game. Anthony Davis is leading the team with 28.8 points and 13.0 rebounds per game.
NBA Betting Trends
Houston
The Rockets are 5-0-1 against the spread in their last six against Western Conference opponents and 5-0-1 ATS in their last six games when playing on 1 day of rest.
New Orleans
The Pelicans have failed to cover in four straight conference games and in five of their last six on no rest.
Prediction:
The Rockets are really locked in right now and their offense is playing up to their standards of years past. Their defense has been able to maintain while their offense improves. New Orleans is coming off a hard-fought game last night and the Pelicans’ defense isn’t something I can trust against an offense that is playing so well. I will take my chances with the Rockets to stay hot.
NBA Prediction: Houston Rockets -2