Pelicans vs. Rockets Prediction: NBA Odds, Point Spread

Jeremy Perry | Updated Feb 01, 2020

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The addition of Zion Williamson to the lineup has really put this team over the top in terms of its ability to make a playoff push.

New Orleans
30-42
AT
February 02, 2020, 2:00 PM ET
Toyota Center
Houston
44-28
Matchup Odds
Matchup Odds

The Houston Rockets have struggled mightily with consistency so far in 2020. Dating back to January 1st, Houston is just 7-7 overall. Considering their next opponent is starting to heat up, getting over the .500 mark in 2020 the next time they play might be easier said than done.

The Rockets will be looking to string together back-to-back wins for just the third time this month when they host the New Orleans Pelicans on Sunday afternoon. Coming off an impressive 128-121 win over the Dallas Mavericks on Friday, Houston needs to figure out a way to string together some victories in their second of a three-game home stand. What’s interesting is that there are a few Zion Williamson cross-sport Super Bowl props on the board, so a lot of bettors might be tuning into this game whether they have money directly on the spread, moneyline or total, or not.

NBA Point Spread and Betting Analysis

New Orleans has won three in a row and is an impressive 13-6 overall dating back to December 23rd. The Pelicans, which currently sit just 2.5 games back of the final playoff spot in the Western Conference, are just 10-14 on the road this season. If the Pelicans are going to make a serious playoff push, they need to be better as the visiting team. New Orleans also needs to be better against Western Conference teams after starting with a 13-19 record against its own conference.

Meanwhile, winning in Houston certainly won’t be easy. The Rockets are 16-7 at the Toyota Center this season. That record includes a 126-123 win over the Pelicans at home on October 26th. These teams have split their first two games in this season series with New Orleans getting the 127-112 win at home on December 29th. Houston is 19-14 against Western Conference opponents this season.

New Orleans Pelicans

The last time these teams met, New Orleans pushed its season-high win streak to four with a 127-112 win. Lonzo Ball had a team-high 27 points including seven three-point shots. Brandon Ingram also had 27, while Jrue Holiday pitched in with 25 points. While the Pelicans are still a young team, they have shown the ability to put up some impressive point totals when they get hot. The addition of Zion Williamson to the lineup has really put this team over the top in terms of its ability to make a playoff push. Williamson had 24 points, six rebounds and three assists in a 139-111 win over the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday night. While they still need to show more consistency playing on the road, this team from New Orleans simply can’t be overlooked on any given night.

Houston Rockets

Unfortunately for the Rockets, their players have made a habit of overlooking far too many opponents this season. After loading up in the offseason with the addition of Russell Westbrook, Houston simply hasn’t lived up to the hype to this point with the fifth-best record in the Western Conference. The bad news for the Rockets is that they didn’t get the job done the last time these teams met. The good news is that Westbrook and James Harden both sat out that game but will be back for this rematch.

The main issue for the Rockets this month has been their defense. They’re giving up 116.3 points per game (25th in the NBA) in January and much of that is because they’re getting crushed on the boards. They’re 28th in rebounding in January. They have to be better in those two categories to pick up the win and cover.

Who Will Win Pelicans vs. Rockets?

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