Game Time: 8:00 pm ET, Wednesday, January 4, 2023
Venue: Smoothie King Center, New Orleans, LA
Where to Watch: BSNO
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Point Spread: Rockets +7, Pelicans -7; Over/Under: 223.5 points
Bet365: Point Spread: Rockets +7, Pelicans -7; Over/Under: 223.5 points
BetMGM: Point Spread: Rockets +7, Pelicans -7; Over/Under: 223.5 points
Season Record
Houston Rockets: 10-27 (5th place, Southwest Division)
New Orleans Pelicans: 23-14 (2nd place, Southwest Division)
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Recent Form
Houston Rockets: 1-9 last 10
New Orleans Pelicans: 6-4 last 10
Houston Rockets vs New Orleans Pelicans Preview and Analysis
The Rockets are coming into this game with a 10-27 record overall and they are 4-15 in their road games this season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game on a 4 game losing streak with losses coming against the Boston Celtics, the Dallas Mavericks, the New York Knicks, and the Mavericks again in their last game. Kevin Porter Jr. led the team in points in that game with 25 while Jalen Green was next on the team with 20 points. Kevin Porter Jr. led the team in assists in that game with 6 while Tari Eason led the team in rebounds with 7. They were 46.3% from the field, 31% from 3-point range, and 72.4% from the free throw line with their shots in that game. Their offense is averaging 109.3 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 115.7 PPG against them. The Rockets have an ATS record of 17-18-2 this season and their O/U record is 18-19.
The Pelicans are coming into this game with a 23-14 record overall and they are 16-4 in their home games this season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game on a 2 game losing streak with losses coming against the Memphis Grizzlies and the Philadelphia 76ers in their last game. Zion Williamson and CJ McCollum each led the team in points in that game with 26 while Jonas Valančiūnas was next on the team with 12 points. Zion Williamson led the team in assists in that game with 7 while Jonas Valančiūnas led the team in rebounds with 12. They were 50% from the field, 37.9% from 3-point range, and 80% from the free throw line with their shots in that game. Their offense is averaging 117.4 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 113 PPG against them. The Pelicans have an ATS record of 19-18 this season and their O/U record is 22-15.
Rockets vs Pelicans Prediction
The current betting odds have the Pelicans listed as a 7 point favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. The Pelicans haven't been great in their games lately and they are going to be without one of their best players, Zion Williamson, in this game but they still have one of the best records in the West this season and have been playing great all year. They have been a great home team too with a 16-4 record there and the Rockets have been terrible this year with one of the worst records in the West. The Rockets are one of the worst teams in the entire NBA right now and they have been terrible in road games with a 4-15 road record this year. The Rockets also enter this game with 4 losses in a row and even though the pelicans will be missing Zion, they still have a very good team that can beat up on the Rockets at home without him. The best way to place a bet here is on the pelicans to cover the spread in this game.
Rockets Pelicans Prediction: Our NBA Pick for Wednesday, January 4, 2023 (8:00 pm ET start time) is Pelicans 123 Rockets 108.
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NBA Betting Trends
Houston Rockets: 7-18 ATS off a loss against a division rival. 9-16 ATS after a loss by 6 points or less. 12-6 OVER after 1 or more consecutive unders.
New Orleans Pelicans: 26-18 ATS after failing to cover the spread in 2 or more consecutive games. 22-15 OVER in all games. 29-16 OVER as a home underdog.
Key Injuries
Houston Rockets: J. Tate (SF) Mid Jan - Ankle.
New Orleans Pelicans: Z. Williamson (PF) Ques Wed - Hamstring. L. Nance Jr. (SF) Ques Wed - Neck. B. Ingram (SF) Mid Jan - Toe. E. Liddell (SF) Out indefinitely - Knee.
Notable Quotes
“I thought we did a good job on him the whole game. The issue was the fouls. I don’t have enough money to get fined, so I will stop there.” - Stephen Silas on his team’s defense against Doncic after their loss against the Mavericks in their game on Monday.
“That was extremely difficult. It was right at a pivotal moment during the game. We'll do some imaging and look at him. Hopefully, he'll be OK.” - Willie Green after his team’s loss against the 76ers in their game on Monday.
Starting Lineups
Houston Rockets
PG Kevin Porter Jr.
SG Jalen Green
SF Eric Gordon
PF Jabari Smith Jr.
C Alperen Sengun
New Orleans Pelicans
PG CJ McCollum
SG Trey Murphy III
SF Herbert Jones
PF Naji Marshall
C Jonas Valanciunas
Statistical Leaders
Houston Rockets
PPG: J. Green (21.4)
APG: K. Porter Jr. (5.8)
Reb/G: A. Sengun (8.6)
New Orleans Pelicans
PPG: Z. Williamson (26)
APG: C. McCollum (6)
Reb/G: J. Valanciunas (9.4)
Coaches:
Houston Rockets: Stephen Silas (3rd season)
New Orleans Pelicans: Willie Green (2nd season)