Pelicans vs. Rockets Prediction
The Houston Rockets are favored at home tonight against the New Orleans Pelicans at 8:00 p.m. ET. Are the Rockets a good bet to cover the spread?
Game Snapshot
(509) New Orleans Pelicans at (510) Houston Rockets
Saturday, March 24, 2018
TV: NBA TV, 8:00 p.m. ET
CURRENT ODDS
According to oddsmakers from online sportsbook YouWager, the Rockets are 8-point home favorites to knock off the Pelicans, while the over/under for tonight’s game currently sits at 224.5 points.
Bet This Matchup & Other NBA Games
LINE MOVEMENT
Houston opened as 10-point home favorites but the line has been bet down to 8 at the majority of online sportsbooks. As for the total, it hit the board at 228 but was bet down to 224.5 at most online books.
PUBLIC BETTING
As of this writing, 51% of the betting tickets wagered at online sportsbooks are on the Pelicans to cover the point spread tonight. Meanwhile, 53% of the betting tickets are on the over.
KEY INJURY TO WATCH
DeMarcus Cousins (Achilles) is out for the year while Nikola Mirotic (hip) is questionable and Rajon Rondo (wrist) are out for the Pelicans. On the other side, Chris Paul (hamstring) is doubtful to play for the Rockets but James Harden (ankle) is probable.
BETTING STRATEGY
With Harden probable for Houston, I like the Rockets to cover this spread tonight. They’re 7-2 against the spread in their last nine games coming off an ATS loss and have covered the number in eight of their last 11 conference games. In their last 18 tilts versus an opponent with a winning record, they also covered the spread 13 times. On the other side, for one reason or another, the Pelicans have not fared well playing on Saturday. They are just 9-20 at the betting window in their last 29 games played on this day.
OUR PREDICTION: HOUSTON ROCKETS -8