Rockets vs Pelicans Picks and Predictions: Grass is Greener for Houston Backers

With a healthy Zion Williamson, the New Orleans Pelicans are eyeing a deep playoff run and will expect to pad their record tonight against the rebuilding Houston Rockets.

The Pelicans have made an up-and-down start to the season as their 6-6 record suggests, with head coach Willie Green still meshing the offensive skillsets of Williamson, Brandon Ingram, and CJ McCollum. An ice-cold second half sunk New Orleans against the Portland Trail Blazers last time out in a 106-95 defeat.

At 2-10, the Rockets are strong contenders in the Victor Wembanyama sweepstakes, but they continue to play hard and stretched the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday in a 116-109 loss.

Find out more in our Rockets vs. Pelicans NBA picks and predictions ahead of this Saturday, November 13 matchup.

Rockets vs Pelicans best odds

Rockets vs Pelicans picks and predictions

With big-time offensive firepower on both teams, coupled with a porous Houston defense, there are plenty of player props to choose from here. While I have more faith in a New Orleans offense that’s averaging 116 points per game, it’s tough to know which of their stars will shine brightest from night to night.

Zion Williamson (29 points) had the hot hand on Thursday against the Blazers, but Brandon Ingram and Jonas Valanciunas led the way in the win over the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday. CJ McCollum has shot poorly this week but is still getting up double-digit attempts from the field. With a deep bench, the Pelicans have countless line-up options – and Valanciunas, among others, has seen his minutes reduced. That makes their prop bets a maze to navigate.

So, I’m leaning towards props for the Rockets, who have been part of some high-scoring shootouts already this year. That brings me to Jalen Green, the No. 1 option for Houston and a young scorer thriving in his second year. 

Green is on a tear in November, scoring 20+ points in his last four games, highlighted by a 34-point outburst against the Orlando Magic on Monday. He’s also bringing more to the table as a playmaker, with a season-high six assists against the Raptors.

I like Green to deliver another big performance tonight against the Pelicans. The high-flying guard has gone past this prop number in his last three outings, and he should feast in one-on-one matchups against McCollum. Plus, as long as the game is close, expect Green to play 35-40 minutes.

A blowout win for New Orleans would hamper this prop, but the Rockets showed plenty of fight on the road in Toronto in midweek — and Green and his teammates will be well rested after a few days off. 

My best bet: Jalen Green Over 24.5 Points + Assists (-104)

Rockets vs Pelicans spread analysis

New Orleans is a double-digit favorite tonight, with the oddsmakers expecting a bounce-back performance after a poor second half on Thursday night against Portland. The Pelicans clearly have the edge here in talent and experience — and it’s tough to see how Houston’s Alperen Sengun and Jabari Smith Jr. will handle Williamson and Valanciunas on the boards. 

But this is a big spread for a New Orleans team that’s 1-5 ATS in its last six games. McCollum is in a mini shooting slump and the Pelicans are still navigating how to thrive with three stars who need the ball in their hands. The hosts got limited production off the bench last time out beyond Trey Murphy III’s 16 points.

While I expect New Orleans to pick up the win, the Rockets are capable of hanging around in this matchup if they bring the same intensity they showed earlier this week. With Green and Kevin Porter Jr. edging the backcourt battle, they could give the Pelicans a scare. 

Rockets vs Pelicans Over/Under analysis

The Rockets seem to be a magnet for the Over, which has hit in six of their last seven Saturday games and five of their last six road games. The Over is also 5-1-1 in the last seven matchups between these teams. 

In short, the offenses should rule the night. The Pelicans scored 130 points back in February in the teams’ final meeting of last season, and they could approach that number again if the offense clicks. Meanwhile, the visitors piled up 134 points in Monday’s victory over the Magic.

Houston’s defense is in the Bottom 5 with 117.8 points allowed per game — and the Pelicans’ rebounding edge should mean plenty of second-chance points, which papers over the fact that New Orleans ranks dead last in 3-point attempts per game.

With a shortage of lockdown defenders in the starting line-ups, I expect a fast pace with lots of transition opportunities. 

Rockets vs Pelicans betting trend to know

Saturday matchups really haven’t been favorable for New Orleans. The Pelicans are 0-9 in their last nine Saturday games. Find more NBA betting trends for Rockets vs. Pelicans.

Rockets vs Pelicans game info

Rockets vs Pelicans key injuries

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