The New Orleans Pelicans (33-36) and Houston Rockets (17-52) meet Friday at Toyota Center. Tip-off is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET. Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Pelicans vs. Rockets odds, and make our expert NBA picks and predictions.
The Pelicans failed to cover the spread as 2-point home favorites Tuesday in a 123-108 loss vs. the Los Angeles Lakers. New Orleans was not covering at any point during the game and has alternated wins and losses over its last 5 contests.
The Rockets covered as 2.5-point home underdogs Wednesday in a 114-110 win vs. the Lakers. Houston was covering for the entire game and led by as many as 18 points in the 2nd quarter.
The Pelicans lead this season’s series 2-0 with the Under hitting in both meetings. New Orleans covered as a 7-point home favorite 119-108 as the Under (228) cashed in the most recent meeting Jan. 4.
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Pelicans at Rockets odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 2:38 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Pelicans -210 (bet $210 to win $100) | Rockets +180 (bet $100 to win $180)
- Against the spread (ATS): Pelicans -5.5 (-108) | Rockets +5.5 (-112)
- Over/Under (O/U): 227.5 (O: -112 | U: -108)
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Pelicans at Rockets key injuries
Pelicans
- G Jose Alvarado (shin) out
- F Zion Williamson (hamstring) out
Rockets
- None
For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.
Pelicans at Rockets picks and predictions
Prediction
Pelicans 115, Rockets 105
Moneyline
PASS.
New Orleans (-210) should bounce back after losing last time out, but there is no need to risk more than twice your potential profit on the moneyline when the Pelicans should win by margin. Bet the spread and/or total instead.
Against the spread
BET PELICANS -5.5 (-108).
New Orleans has dominated Houston this season and should continue to do so Friday. The Pelicans are 5-0 ATS vs. Houston in their last 5 meetings and 19-7-1 ATS in their last 27 games against teams with a win percentage below .400.
The Rockets are coming off back-to-back impressive wins, but are still 8-20-1 ATS in their last 29 games after scoring 100 or more points in their previous contest.
Over/Under
BET UNDER 227.5 (-108).
The Under has hit in 7 of New Orleans’ last 8 road games and is 4-1 in the Pelicans’ last 5 after failing to cover in their previous contest.
The Under is 8-3 in Houston’s last 11 games after a win and is 3-1-1 in the last 5 meetings between these teams. Friday’s matchup should look very similar to the low-scoring meetings earlier this season.
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