Rockets Search For Sixth Straight Win Vs Pelicans

The Houston Rockets (6-16, 10-11-1 ATS) host the New Orleans Pelicans (7-18, 11-14) at Toyota Center on Sunday. The Rockets look to extend their win streak to six games while the Pelicans are picking up steam as well, going 4-2 in their last six outings.

Sportsbook Odds Analysis

New Orleans opened as a 2.5-point favorite on the road despite Houston’s recent string of wins. The total was set at 216.5 points with the OVER going 4-1 in the last five meetings. Houston is 4-1 ATS in its last five games while New Orleans is 4-2 ATS in its last six.

New Orleans News & Notes

The Pelicans earned a 107-91 win over the Dallas Mavericks on Friday thanks to a big performance from Brandon Ingram, who posted a double-double with 24 points and 12 assists. New Orleans held Dallas point guard Luka Doncic to just 21 points, down from his season average of 25.4.

New Orleans has had a rough start to the season, sitting in 13th place in the Western Conference, just ahead of Houston. The Pelicans, however, have turned things around recently with a 4-2 run over the past week and a half. Ingram leads the team with 21.9 points per game this season and has been especially hot as of late, averaging 26.7 points over his last three outings.

Josh Hart (knee) is questionable for Sunday, Zion Williamson (foot) remains out due to rehab, and Daulton Hommes (fibula) is out indefinitely.

Houston News & Notes

The Rockets eked out a 118-116 win over the Orlando Magic on Friday to earn their fifth straight win. Eric Gordon led Houston with 24 points, including the game-winning layup in the dying seconds to seal the victory. Christian Wood added a double-double with 20 points and 14 rebounds.

Like New Orleans, Houston had an abysmal start to its season, going 1-16 through its first 17 contests – a run which included a 15-game losing streak. In a complete flip of the script, the Rockets now hold the longest win streak in the NBA at five games.
Jalen Green (hamstring) is week-to-week and Kevin Porter Jr. (thigh) is doubtful for Sunday.

How New Orleans Will Cover

The Pelicans’ offense has struggled this season, averaging just 103.2 points per game – 27th in the NBA. Over this six-game stretch, however, they’re up to 111.2 points – a good sign of progress. While the Rockets are hot their defense has been porous, allowing 112.1 points per game, and that’s something the Pelicans may be able to exploit.

How Houston Will Cover

The Rockets may be slightly underestimated as the underdog in this matchup given their recent run of form. While Houston is a bit banged up, Wood has been hot with 20-plus points in three of his last four games, including a season-high 33 on November 27. The Pelicans’ 23rd-ranked defense won’t provide much resistance meaning we could see another big game from the Rockets center.

Computer Pick: Pelicans -3

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