Houston Rockets vs New Orleans Pelicans: I am with bookmakers here

In this game, the Houston Rockets will visit the New Orleans Pelicans for an away game. New Orleans Pelicans are a game above the 50% win mark while Houston has lost 14 games in a row and is the worst team in the league right now. By the looks of it, this looks like a cakewalk. For a quick overview, head to the “Notes” section.

New Orleans’ offense: Both teams are way under the 50% win mark but still, they have played well recently. The Pelicans frontcourt pairing of Jonas Valanciunas and Brandon Ingram has done an incredible job of scoring and also pulling down rebounds. The team doesn’t have much guard depth but a dependable shooter in Alexander-Walker off the bench. I must mention Devonte Graham too who can also pour it from three but he is not the type of player to get around 20 points regularly(especially these days). Zion’s return will address a lot of issues for New Orleans but right now, Ingram and Valanciunas have shown some glimmer of hope.

Rockets’ offense: Rockets have been largely bolstered by high-quality production by Jae’Sean Tate and Christian Wood. Wood gives 20-30 points regularly, Tate has been scoring in the 15-20 range. Meanwhile, Eric Gordon is a dynamite scorer and can go on hot streaks while Kevin Porter Jr. has done a great job at managing the action on the floor as the playmaker. Rookie Alperen Sengun has been a revelation off the bench while role players like Danuel House, Armoni Brooks, Kenyon Martin Jr., and DJ Augustin have been decent scorers too.

This is a tough one to predict and doesn’t look obvious despite the five-game winning streak of the Rockets. Houston will be without floor general Kevin Porter Jr. who helps in getting easy buckets so the offense MAY take a hit. For the Pels, they are topsy-turvy and depend way too much upon Ingram and Jonas for offensive production on the regular. Pelicans will also hope that Graham produces more often and also pray that Garrett Temple can chip in with 10-15 points. If we compare the two, we can’t say whose offense is better even based on recent numbers. I must also point out a similarity that the Rockets have been stellar at home and has beaten both teams with winning record and losing record. Meanwhile, Pels have disposed of some teams whose records are better than them and have shown mettle against the likes of the Utah Jazz. You see how tough is this to predict in terms of the winner!

Here are some quick hitters related to the game:

• Houston Rockets have won five in a row. Four of those wins have been at home;
• New Orleans Pelicans have won four of the last six games. Three of those wins have come away from home;
• Houston has scored 118, 114, 102, 146(OT), 118 in the last five games;
• Houston has allowed 116, 110, 89, 143(OT), 113 in the last five games;
• Pelicans have scored 107, 107, 123, 105, 98 in the last five games;
• Pelicans have allowed 91, 139, 104, 127, 97 in the last five games;
• Brandon Ingram has scored 21 or more points in four of the last five games;
• Christian Wood has chipped in with 20 or more points and 10 or more rebounds constantly throughout the season;
• Kevin Porter Jr. will not play in the game, he is the main playmaker for the Rockets team;
• Zion Williamson is a long way away from returning for the Pelicans. Josh Hart is questionable for the game;
• Do check the injury reports before placing bets.

Points Range: Toughest part of the whole section is to predict the total especially when it comes to two up-and-down teams. But if we look at the Rockets, they have scored 114 or more in four of the last five games, the Pels have lodged mostly in the range of 105-107. Now, I will state what I think. I believe the Rockets will struggle to get to 110 in this game and the Pelicans can lodge a higher number than them. I predict a points range of 210-220.

Prediction: It is a tough call but I take the Pelicans here. I believe the Rockets are due a loss here and without Kevin Porter, they may take a hit. I think Ingram will have a big game here whereas the bench of the Pels will outplay the Rockets’ bench. Let us see what happens! What are your thoughts?

• W2 By 6 Points or More for 2.27;
• Total Player Points: Brandon Ingram (NOP) Over 23.5 for 1.87;
• Player Props: Player Rebounds: Christian Wood: Over 10.5 for 1.95.