The Houston Rockets (6-3) visit the New Orleans Pelicans (2-7) Monday at the Smoothie King Center for an 8 p.m. ET start. We analyze the Rockets-Pelicans odds and lines, with NBA betting advice and tips around the matchup.
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Rockets at Pelicans: Key injuries
Pelicans
- PG Lonzo Ball (hip) out
Rockets at Pelicans: 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 9:45 a.m. ET.
Prediction
Rockets 127, Pelicans 120
Moneyline (ML)
The -189 line for the visiting ROCKETS is a bit of a concern given they are 3-2 away from home; however, New Orleans is just 1-3 at home with a penchant for not playing defensively sound.
Can New Orleans stop anyone? It allows nearly 123 points per game and goes up against a Houston team that can easily put up 120-plus points.
New to sports betting? A $10 bet on the Rockets to win outright returns a profit of $5.29. This is a little chalky, but it’s better than risking this on a Pelicans team (+155) that cannot win anywhere – losers of seven of nine games to start the season.
Line/Against the Spread (ATS)
The wiser idea for this contest is taking the ROCKETS with the -3.5 points at -125 odds. A Houston cover here (win by just four or more points) returns a nicer profit of $8.00.
Houston is 2-3 on the road against the spread. New Orleans is 1-3 ATS at home but is five points off of the projections. Houston has covered in its last two games.
Over/Under (O/U)
Lean slightly to the OVER 243.5 (-106). There expects to be a ton of offense as the Pelicans have allowed fewer than 110 points to an opponent just once this year. Houston figures not to be the second.
Want some action in this one? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.
Chris’ NBA betting record: 19-15
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