Tag: Rockets Pelicans odds picks prediction spread over/under betting line

The New Orleans Pelicans (7-10) host the Houston Rockets (8-9) Saturday in their second game in as many days at the Smoothie King Center. The tip-off is set for 8 p.m. ET. Below, we analyze the Rockets-Pelicans NBA odds and lines, with picks and predictions.

Rockets at Pelicans: Odds, spread and lines

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 2:45 p.m. ET.

• Money line: Rockets -115 (bet $115 to win $100) | Pelicans -105 (bet $105 to win $100)
• Against the spread/ATS: Rockets -1.5 (-110) | Pelicans +1.5 (-110)
• Over/Under: 222.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

Rockets at Pelicans: Key injuries

Rockets

• PG Dante Exum (calf) out

Pelicans

• None.

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Rockets at Pelicans: Odds, lines, predictions and picks

Prediction

Rockets 113, Pelicans 107

Money line (ML)

Quietly Houston’s first-year head coach Stephen Silas is doing a pretty good job given the circumstances. Since the Rockets moved on from James Harden, they have a 5-2 record (4-3 ATS) and are now a plus-net rating team.

Also, the Rockets are playing a pro-analytics style of basketball. Houston shoots the seventh-most threes per game and gets to the rim at the third-highest rate in the Association, according to CleaningTheGlass.com. Now their 3-point percentage is nothing to brag about, but, woof, is New Orleans’ 3-point defense bad (22nd in opponent’s 3-point percentage).

Rockets C Christian Wood can create a lot of spacing for Houston’s offense as Wood shoots the third-most threes per game on the active roster. If Wood can stretch the floor and get Pelicans C Steven Adams out of the paint it will open driving lanes for John Wall and Victor Oladipo.

New Orleans attempts the seventh-most field goals per game within five feet of the basket, but Houston is actually a solid ninth in opponent’s field goal percentage within that range.

Wood is a big reason for Houston’s surprisingly good interior defense as he’s in the top-20 in defensive win shares, defensive rating, blocks per game and rebounding percentage. Also, doesn’t it help to have a cagey defensive veteran like PF P.J. Tucker to check Zion Williamson?

GIMME ROCKETS (-115). 

Against the spread (ATS)

PASS. Just pay the vig with Houston, there’s no sense in messing with the points here.

Over/Under (O/U)

Houston has played some pretty good defense lately—first in points allowed over its last five games and sixth in defensive rating on the year. Granted, the competition is nothing to write home about, but the Rockets are getting it done on defense. Plus there’s value in betting an Under in a Pelicans game right after they beat the Milwaukee Bucks in a 131-126 shootout Friday.

However, I’d only put a small wager on OVER 222.5 (-110) because the last six New Orleans’ games have gone Over the total and nine of its last 10.

Want some action on this one? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com. Please gamble responsibly.

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Also see: 

• Rockets at Pelicans: Lineups, injury reports, and broadcast info for Saturday (Rockets Wire)
• Lonzo Ball shines vs. Bucks as trade rumors swirl: ‘I just stay away from the noise’ (Lonzo Wire)

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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