Pelicans vs. Rockets prediction, tips and odds for today’s NBA game

The Houston Rockets will look to capitalize on the momentum from their strong NBA Cup success when they host the New Orleans Pelicans on Thursday night.

Houston was one of the best defensive teams in the league and should control the action against New Orleans, which is why I’ll take the under in my Pelicans vs. Rockets predictions.

Read below for the full analysis of this game in my free NBA picks for Thursday, December 19th.

Pelicans vs Rockets Prediction

My best choice
Under 217.5 (-110 at bet365)

My analysis

If you want to find two teams that are likely to have a low-scoring game in the NBA right now, the Houston Rockets and New Orleans Pelicans would be at the top of the list.

The Rockets have stifled their opponents on defense all season, allowing just 106.1 points per game and posting a defensive rating of 105.3, good for second-best in the league. Against Houston, which also sits second in the NBA, the teams shoot just 43.4% from the floor.

This defensive performance has led the Rockets to a 17-9 record. This grade could be even better if Houston could actually shoot the ball themselves. The Rockets rank 29th out of 30 teams in both pure field goal percentage (43.7%) and true shooting percentage (53.6%) because they are not particularly talented beyond the arc or at the line. The only saving grace for Houston is that it is one of the best rebounding teams in the league, meaning it has had enough second chances to score mediocre points.

The Pelicans aren’t great on defense and might be an even worse offensive team than the Rockets. New Orleans is averaging just 105.1 ppg on 43.7% shooting and doesn’t make up the difference on the boards the way Houston usually does.

On the best nights, it might be difficult for the Pelicans to trouble the Houston defense. However, they are currently short-handed due to injuries to Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram, so they don’t have much of their scoring potential. Without those players in the lineup, the Rockets can focus on remaining threats — like CJ McCollum (21.1 ppg) and Trey Murphy III (18.1 ppg) — to fend off New Orleans’ attack.

If any of these teams were playing particularly fast, there might still be cause for concern given the relatively low point totals tonight. But I can’t imagine that either team will try to go too far and we can expect that there will be repeated missed shots, which will lead to longer periods of scoring failure at times. I’m taking the Under tonight.

Pelicans vs. Rockets, same game play

Below 217.5

Missiles -8.5

Alperen Sengun Over 10.5 rebounds

Houston’s defense will ensure this is a low-scoring game and that will play right into the Rockets’ hands. This is the basis of my parlay in the same game, combining the under with a bet on the Rockets as cover. The spread is quite high at 8.5 points, but the Rockets are by far the better team here, playing at home and should be rested after four off nights.

I’ll also throw in my best player assist of the night by picking Houston center Alperen Sengun to hit the over with his rebounding assist (10.5). Sengun is one of the league’s best rebounders at 10.6 per game and has grabbed at least 11 rebounds in each of his last two games. In a game where there are likely to be a lot of missed shots, Sengun is well positioned to get well into double figures on the boards.

Learn how to place a bet in the same game with these helpful tips and strategies.

Pelicans vs Rockets odds

Pelicans vs Rockets live odds

Pelicans vs. Rockets opening odds

• Spread: New Orleans +9 | Houston -9
• Money line: New Orleans +310 | Houston -390
• Over/Under: About 217.5 | Below 217.5

Odds courtesy of bet365

Pelicans vs. Rockets spread and over/under analysis

• Houston is 16-10 against the slate this year, while New Orleans has posted a 10-17 ATS mark this season.
• The Pelicans are on a two-game winning streak against the Rockets, both straight and ATS.
• The Under is 14-12 in Houston’s games this season and a nearly identical record of 14-12-1 when New Orleans has played.
• The Rockets are averaging 218.2 ppg overall, while New Orleans is averaging 221.7 ppg overall.

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The Under is 3-1 in Houston’s last four games. Find more NBA betting trends for Pelicans vs. Rockets.

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