Pelicans vs. Rockets Prediction
Will the Houston Rockets be able to cover a double-digit spread at home when they take on the New Orleans Pelicans tonight at 8PM ET?
547 New Orleans Pelicans vs. 548 Houston Rockets
Tuesday, January 29, 2019
8PM ET – Toyota Center
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Public Betting Trends
According to oddsmakers at BetNow.eu, the Rockets are favored at home, as they are getting odds of -9.5 points against the Pelicans. The over/under total for the contest is listed at 234.5 points. The public betting for this game currently has 76 percent going on the Rockets at home. This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our NBA Public Betting Page for updated figures on the game.
Pelicans beat up
The New Orleans Pelicans are on a 3-game losing streak following a 126-114 loss to San Antonio at home on Saturday. They also recently had star Anthony Davis ask to be traded. The Pelicans are now 22-28 on the season, 7-20 on the road, 22-27-1 against the spread and 27-23 with the over.
The Pelicans have one of the top offenses in the league when at full strength. For the year, New Orleans averages 116.6 points per game while shooting 48.1 percent. Defensively, the Pelicans have struggled. They are giving up 115.1 points per contest while opponents shoot 36.8 percent from the arc. Davis will continue to sit out with his finger injury while Nikola Mirotic and E’Twaun Moore are both out as well. Julius Randle is listed as questionable to play tonight due to an ankle injury. Davis has averaged 29.3 points, 13.3 rebounds and 4.4 assists per contest this season. Jrue Holiday is the active leader with 21.2 points and 8.1 assists per contest.
Rockets back on a win streak
Houston is coming off a 103-98 win at home over Orlando for a third straight victory. However, the Rockets are just 1-5 against the spread in their last six games. Houston is now 29-20 on the season, 19-7 at home, 23-25-1 against the spread and 27-22 with the over.
The Rockets are putting up 112.2 points per game this season despite shooting just 44.5 percent from the field. Defensively, Houston is giving up 110.7 points per game while allowing opponents to shoot 47.4 percent. Clint Capela remains out until next month with a thumb injury, but Chris Paul recently returned. Paul is averaging 15.4 points and 7.9 assists per game. James Harden is leading the team with 36.3 points, 6.6 rebounds and 8.2 assists per contest.
NBA Betting Trends
New Orleans
The Pelicans are 9-3 against the spread in their last 12 games when playing on 2 days of rest, but just 2-5 ATS in their last seven against Southwest Division opponents.
Houston
The Rockets have covered the spread in five straight division games and are 10-2-1 ATS in their last 13 conference games.
Prediction:
The spread is quite large, which is concerning. However, New Orleans is really beat up and looking defeated as a team. They could be without four of their top five scorers tonight if Randle is unable to go and with Davis asking for a trade, there really isn’t a lot of optimism within the franchise. As Paul gets fully back in the mix, the Houston offense should continue to improve and the defense should also have a step up. I think the Rockets will overwhelm the short-handed Pelicans tonight on their home floor.
NBA Prediction: Houston Rockets -10