The New Orleans Pelicans (20-29) visit Space City to play the Houston Rockets (30-18) Sunday at Toyota Center at 2 p.m. ET. We analyze Pelicans-Rockets odds and lines, with NBA betting advice and tips around the matchup.
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Pelicans at Rockets: Key injuries
Pelicans
- SG Kenrich Williams (back) out
- SF Darius Miller (Achilles) out
Rockets
- C Clint Capela (heel) out
- SG Gerald Green (foot) out
- C Nene Hilario (groin) out
Pelicans at Rockets: Odds, lines, picks and betting tips
NBA odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated at 10:25 a.m. ET.
Prediction
Pelicans 122, Rockets 116
Moneyline (ML)
This is a matchup of teams playing in two different forms. New Orleans has it rolling, winning three straight—all by double-digits—and six of its last 10 games. On the other side, Houston has been inconsistent lately going 4-6 over its last 10 games. The Pelicans crushed the Rockets in their first meeting, 127-112, but the Rockets were without Gs James Harden and Russell Westbrook, and Capela.
What tips the scales in favor of the Pelicans is the injury to Capela. The sixth-year big man is the Rockets’ best defender and rebounder. This is pivotal against a Pelicans squad that now has F Zion Williamson in the lineup plus. The Pelicans also get the seventh-most rebounds per game while the Rockets are ranked 24th in opponent rebounds per game. With Capela in the lineup most of the season, Houston still gives up the sixth-most points in the paint per game so expect Williamson and Brandon Ingram to get into the paint with ease.
BET PELICANS (+170) on the money line. New to sports betting? Bet $50 on the Pelicans to earn a profit of $85 if they win outright.
Line/Against the Spread (ATS)
The betting trends bode well for the Pelicans. New Orleans is 7-1-1 against the spread in their last nine road games and 9-1-1 ATS in their last 11 games as an underdog. More importantly, the Pelicans are 4-1 ATS in their last five meetings in Houston. New Orleans is a better ATS team versus Western Conference opponents than the Rockets. New Orleans is 18-13-1 ATS while Houston is just 14-19 ATS in those situations. The Rockets haven’t been a particularly strong ATS team at home, going just 11-12 ATS at Toyota Center.
Since we are on New Orleans to win straight up, HAMMER PELICANS +5.5 (-115) for some insurance. New to sports betting? Bet $115 on Pelicans +5.5 to earn a profit of $100 if the Pelicans lose by 5 or fewer points.
Over/Under (O/U)
I have it being a high-scoring game but the total of 245.5 is absurd. The Over is 4-1 in the last five meetings in Houston and the Pelicans have an Over/Under record of 28-21 on the season. It’s a primetime spot and I tend to think those play Under the total. Stick with the moneyline and ATS wagers, and PASS on the total.
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