Houston Rockets at New Orleans Pelicans ATS Prediction 12/29/18

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The Houston Rockets (19-15), 1-point favorites, will be at the Smoothie King Center to square off with the New Orleans Pelicans (16-20) in a Southwest Division matchup. The game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 229 points and it can be seen on NBATV at 7 p.m. ET on Saturday, December 29, 2018.

Houston Rockets vs. New Orleans Pelicans ATS Odds

In the Rockets’ last contest, they beat the Boston Celtics, 127-113, despite being 2-point underdogs. The Pelicans, on the other hand, topped the Dallas Mavericks,114-112, but failed to cover as 3-point favorites. The Houston game finished 25 points over the projected point total of 215, while the New Orleans game went 2.5 points under the projected point total of 228.5.

Houston dominated nearly every stat category in the game. They had an absurd offensive rebounding percentage of 34.0 (above their season average of 25.3) and an effective field goal percentage of 0.581 (above their season average of 0.532). Boston was 13.3 and 0.543, respectively, for those same stats. The Pelicans, on the other hand, forced 16 turnovers and had an offensive rebounding percentage of 41.7 (above their season average of 25.3). New Orleans was lifted by Anthony Davis, who had 48 points and 17 rebounds. James Harden played a pivotal role for Houston with 45 points and six assists.

In their first matchup this season, Davis led the Pelicans to a 131-112 win. He notched a double-double with 32 points and 16 rebounds. New Orleans covered as an 8-point underdog and the two teams combined to score 243 points, which was over the projected point total of 232. New Orleans out-rebounded Houston. The Pelicans had 14 offensive rebounds and 54 total rebounds, while the Rockets had eight and 37, respectively.

Of the Rockets’ 34 games, 18 have finished over the total. Houston heads into the game with records of 19-15 straight up (SU) and 16-17-1 against the spread (ATS).

A little over half of Pelicans games have finished over the O/U total. Additionally, New Orleans is 16-20 SU and 15-20 ATS.

Eric Gordon has taken his game to another level as of late for Houston, averaging 17 points,3.4 assists over the last five games.

It will be a showdown of contrasting tempos as the fast-breaking Pelicans (ranked fourth in the league in possessions per game) will look to push the more grind-it-out Rockets (28th in possessions per game). Moreover, the fourth-ranked offense of the Rockets (offensive efficiency of 111.1) will clash against the 27th-ranked defense of the Pelicans (defensive efficiency of 110.3).

Houston Rockets vs. New Orleans Pelicans Odds Pick

Free NBA Tip: SU Winner – Pelicans, ATS Winner – Pelicans, O/U – Over

Betting Notes:

  • The Rockets rank 16 in blocks per game (5.264705882352941) while the Pelicans rank 17 in blocks allowed per game (5.25).
  • New Orleans ranks first in points in the paint per game (57.9) while Houston ranks 26th (43.6).
  • The Rockets rank fourth in fast break points allowed per game (11.1) while the Pelicans rank 23rd (14.7).
  • New Orleans ranks sixth in rebounds per game (47.5) while Houston ranks 25th (42.1).
  • Houston averages 7.794117647058823 steals per game, which ranks 14 in the league. New Orleans ranks 24 in steals allowed per game (8.61111111111111).
  • The Pelicans rank second in assists per game (27.0) while the Rockets rank 26th (21.1).
  • The Pelicans average 15.972222222222221 second chance points per game, which ranks 1 in the NBA. The Rockets rank 16 in second chance points allowed per game (13.529411764705882).
  • Houston ranks first in three pointers attempted per game (42.5) while New Orleans ranks 23rd (28.7).
  • When allowing under 100 points, Houston is 6-2 and New Orleans is 2-0.
  • In games where they reach 100 points, the Rockets are 17-8 and the Pelicans are 16-18.
  • New Orleans is 8-8 ATS at home, while Houston is 6-11 ATS on the road.
  • In 17 road games, the Rockets have 9 unders, 7 overs and 1 push.
  • In 16 home games, the Pelicans have 8 overs, 7 unders and 1 push.

Bettings Trends:

  • In their last five games, Houston and New Orleans have both had 3 overs and 2 unders.
  • The Rockets are 4-1 ATS over their last five games, while the Pelicans are 1-4.
  • During their last five games, the Rockets have scored an average of 116.6 points per game (6.8 above their season average) and allowed an average of 108.4 points per game (0.2 below their season average).
  • The Pelicans have been outscored by an average of 4.4 points in their last five games. On the season, New Orleans has defeated opponents by an average of 0.8 points.