The Houston Rockets are on the road Saturday (November 12) as they take on the New Orleans Pelicans in an NBA Western Conference matchup.
The Rockets (2-10) are last in the West and are coming off a 116-109 road loss on Wednesday against the Toronto Raptors. The Pelicans (6-6) are currently eighth in the West and also lost as they fell at home to the Portland Trail Blazers 106-95 on Thursday.
This will be the first of four games against one another this season, so it should be interesting.
Bet $5+ on any sport pre-game ML, Get $200 If Your Bet Wins With DraftKings Sportsbook
The betting odds and predictions are below:
The Houston Rockets are a below-average offensive team this season, as they are currently 21st in the NBA with 110.3 points per game. They are not shooting the ball well at all, as they are only ahead of the Detroit Pistons with a putrid 43.3 field goal percentage so far. Shooting guard Jalen Green is leading the way for his young team as he is averaging 20.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 0.3 blocks, and 0.8 steals per game in 33.9 minutes thus far.
Their defense has been brutal as they are 26th in the league with 117.8 points and only ahead of the Sacramento Kings with a 49.5 opposing field goal percentage. Defensively, they are hovering around league average with 7.8 steals per game, which is tied with the Atlanta Hawks for 12th.
The New Orleans Pelicans are doing extremely well on the offensive side of the game as they are tied with the Denver Nuggets, Golden State Warriors, and Sacramento Kings for fifth in the sport, with 116.3 points per game this season. A huge reason is that they are getting good looks at the rim, as they are fifth in the NBA as well, with a 47.7 field goal percentage right now. Power forward Zion Williamson is dominating as he is shooting the basketball extremely well as he has shooting splits of 54.8/50/69.6 while averaging 23.3 points, 3.7 assists, 6.6 rebounds, and 1.1 steals per game thus far.
They have been an average defense this season with 113.6 points per game thus far and need to improve. They have been able to limit the opposing three-point shooters as they are giving up 32.9 percent from beyond the arc, which is fifth in the sport.
Houston Rockets vs. New Orleans Pelicans: Match Details
Fixture: Houston Rockets @ New Orleans Pelicans
Date & Time: Saturday, November 12, 8:30 p.m EDT
Venue: Smoothie King Center, New Orleans, Louisiana
Houston Rockets vs. New Orleans Pelicans: Pick
CJ McCollum has been struggling to shoot the ball recently, and the inability to make the three has been hurting him. He is shooting just 29.1 percent from beyond the arc this year and has scored just 29 total points in his last three games.
Best Pick: CJ McCollum Under 19.5 (+100)
Houston Rockets vs. New Orleans Pelicans: Prediction
These defenses have recently shown the ability to split as the Rockets are giving up 124 points in their last three games while the Pelicans are allowing 108.5 points in their previous two games. New Orleans has covered in five of their last six games against Houston, so they should be able to do well and cover the number here.
Final Prediction: New Orleans -11 (-105)
Bet $5+ on any sport pre-game ML, Get $200 If Your Bet Wins With DraftKings Sportsbook
Rockets Fan? Check out the latest Houston Rockets depth chart, schedule, and roster updates all in one place.