The New Orleans Pelicans (22-28), 9.5-point underdogs, will be at the Toyota Center to clash with the Houston Rockets (29-20) in a Southwest Division matchup. The game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 234.5 points and it will air on TNT at 8 p.m. ET on Tuesday, January 29, 2019.
New Orleans Pelicans at Houston Rockets Betting Odds
Neither team was able to cover in their last matchup. The Rockets (8.5-point favorites) beat the Orlando Magic, 103-98, while the Pelicans (4.5-point underdogs) fell to the San Antonio Spurs, 126-114. The Houston game finished 20.5 points under the projected point total of 221.5, while the New Orleans game went 12.5 points over the projected point total of 227.5.
The Rockets made 15 of their 21 free throws (71.4 percent) and held the Magic to an effective field goal percentage of 0.454 (below their season average of 0.510). New Orleans, meanwhile, had a turnover percentage of 7.0 (better than their season average of 12.2). James Harden had a solid performance for Houston, putting up 40 points, 11 rebounds and six assists. New Orleans, meanwhile, was lifted by Jahlil Okafor, who contributed 24 points and 15 rebounds.
The Rockets won the most recent matchup 108-104 to even the season series at one. In the victory, Harden led all scorers with 41 points. Getting to the charity stripe was one of Houston’s biggest strengths. They made 28 trips to the line, while New Orleans went 17 times. The two teams combined to score 212 points, which was well under the projected point total of 229.5, and Houston covered as a 3-point favorite.
Of the Pelicans’ 50 games, 26 have finished over the projected point total. New Orleans heads into the game with records of 22-28 straight up (SU) and 22-27-1 against the spread (ATS).
Of the Rockets’ 49 games, 26 have finished over the O/U total. Additionally, Houston is 29-20 SU and 23-25-1 ATS.
Houston could have their way on the offensive side of the ball as their high-powered offense goes up against one of the worst defenses in the league. The Rockets rank third in offensive efficiency, while New Orleans ranks 27th in defensive efficiency.
New Orleans Pelicans at Houston Rockets Free Pick
NBA Prediction: SU Winner – Rockets, ATS Winner – Pelicans, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
- The Rockets average 11.7 fast break points per game, which ranks 19th in the league. The Pelicans rank 23rd in fast break points allowed per game (14.6).
- New Orleans ranks first in points in the paint per game (58.4) while Houston ranks last in points allowed in the paint per game (53.2).
- The Pelicans rank eighth in rebounds per game (46.7) while the Rockets rank 26th (41.9).
- New Orleans averages 14.8 second chance points per game, which ranks fifth in the league. Houston ranks 20th in second chance points allowed per game (13.8).
- Houston averages 16.8 points off turnovers per game, which ranks 13th in the NBA. New Orleans ranks 22nd in points off turnovers allowed per game (17.3).
- The Rockets rank first in three pointers attempted per game (44.2) while the Pelicans rank 28th in three pointers allowed per game (33.5).
- The Rockets average 8.0 steals per game, which ranks 12th in the NBA. The Pelicans rank 24th in steals allowed per game (8.3).
- New Orleans averages 5.7 blocks per game, which ranks sixth in the NBA. Houston ranks eighth in blocks allowed per game (4.7).
- New Orleans ranks fourth in assists per game (26.8) while Houston ranks 28th (20.7).
- New Orleans is 5-1 when they allow under 100 points, while Houston is 8-2.
- The Rockets are 27-12 when they score above 100 points, while the Pelicans are 22-25.
- New Orleans is 11-15-1 ATS on the road, while Houston is 15-10-1 ATS at home.
- In 27 road games, the Pelicans have 15 overs and 12 unders.
- Of the Rockets’ 26 home games, they have 17 overs and 9 unders.
Bettings Trends:
- The Pelicans are 2-3 ATS over their last five games, while the Rockets are 1-4.
- In their last five games, New Orleans has 3 overs and 2 unders, while Houston has 3 unders and 2 overs.
- During their last five games, the Pelicans have scored an average of 108.2 points per game (8.4 below their season average) and allowed an average of 111.8 points per game (3.3 below their season average).
- The Rockets have been outscored by an average of 2.6 points in their last five games. On the season, Houston has defeated opponents by an average of 1.6 points.
