Houston @ New Orleans picks

Compared to last season's 31.7% rate, Alperen Sengun's three-point efficiency has diminished this season to 21.8%. Alperen Sengun has played 31.3 minutes per game this year, ranking among the most used players in the NBA: 83rd percentile. The rate of shots from behind the three-point arc sunk against Yves Missi has been remarkably high (36.6%) when defending other starting Cs this year (93rd percentile). The 10th-speediest tempo team in the NBA over the last 10 games has been the Houston Rockets. The Houston Rockets will likely see a rise in possessions in this game from facing the 5th-most up-tempo tempo offense in the league over the last 20 games (the Pelicans).

Among all players in the NBA, Jabari Smith Jr. comes in at the 81st percentile for playing time, putting up a colossal 30.5 minutes per game without the home court advantage this year. The 10th-speediest tempo team in the NBA over the last 10 games has been the Houston Rockets. The Houston Rockets will likely see a rise in possessions in this game from facing the 5th-most up-tempo tempo offense in the league over the last 20 games (the Pelicans). Offensive rebounds lengthen possession and produce added chances for scoring and assists, and the Rockets rank best in in the NBA with 14.7 offensive boards per game this year. Over the last 15 games when they are the visiting squad, the opposing team's starting PFs have attempted 3.7 foul shots per game (7th-highest in the league) against the Pelicans, easily managing to get to the charity stripe.

Jose Alvarado has successfully made 5.2 buckets per game over the last 5 games at home, 1.3 more than he's converted over the course of the season playing at home. Jose Alvarado has played 30.0 minutes per game over the last 5 games while playing at home, 5.5 more than he's played over the course of the season at home. The 5th-speediest tempo offense in the NBA over the last 20 games has been the Pelicans. The New Orleans Pelicans are expected to see a spike in opportunities in this contest from facing the 10th-speediest tempo offense in the league over the last 10 games (the Houston Rockets). Offensive rebounds maintain possession and result in added chances for scoring and assists, and the Pelicans rank 3rd-best in in the NBA at home with 12.7 offensive boards per game this year.

Zion Williamson has been called for 2.6 personal fouls per game playing at home this year, ranking in the 91st percentile -- among the league's most foul-prone.

Jose Alvarado has sunk 2.0 treys per game this year, placing him in the 82nd percentile among all players in the league. Jose Alvarado has played 30.0 minutes per game over the last 5 games while playing at home, 5.5 more than he's played over the course of the season at home. The 5th-speediest tempo offense in the NBA over the last 20 games has been the Pelicans. The New Orleans Pelicans are expected to see a spike in opportunities in this contest from facing the 10th-speediest tempo offense in the league over the last 10 games (the Houston Rockets). Offensive rebounds maintain possession and result in added chances for scoring and assists, and the Pelicans rank 3rd-best in in the NBA at home with 12.7 offensive boards per game this year.

Kelly Olynyk has put up 13.6 points per game over the last 5 games, 5.5 higher than he's put up in all games this season. Kelly Olynyk has played 25.6 minutes per game over the last 5 games, 7.7 more than he's played in all games this season. The 5th-speediest tempo offense in the NBA over the last 20 games has been the Pelicans. The New Orleans Pelicans are expected to see a spike in opportunities in this contest from facing the 10th-speediest tempo offense in the league over the last 10 games (the Houston Rockets). Offensive rebounds maintain possession and result in added chances for scoring and assists, and the Pelicans rank 3rd-best in in the NBA at home with 12.7 offensive boards per game this year.

Dillon Brooks has posted 4.0 defensive rebounds per game over the last 5 games, 1.3 more than he's posted overall this season. Dillon Brooks has averaged 32.1 minutes per game this year, some of the highest playing time of any player in the NBA: 85th percentile. The 10th-speediest tempo team in the NBA over the last 10 games has been the Houston Rockets. The Houston Rockets will likely see a rise in possessions in this game from facing the 5th-most up-tempo tempo offense in the league over the last 20 games (the Pelicans). Offensive rebounds lengthen possession and produce added chances for scoring and assists, and the Rockets rank best in in the NBA with 14.7 offensive boards per game this year.

Alperen Sengun has totaled a whopping 3.3 offensive rebounds per game this season, a sizeable increase from his 2.9 offensive rebounds per game last season. Alperen Sengun has played 31.3 minutes per game this year, ranking among the most used players in the NBA: 83rd percentile. The 10th-speediest tempo team in the NBA over the last 10 games has been the Houston Rockets. The Houston Rockets will likely see a rise in possessions in this game from facing the 5th-most up-tempo tempo offense in the league over the last 20 games (the Pelicans). Offensive rebounds lengthen possession and produce added chances for scoring and assists, and the Rockets rank best in in the NBA with 14.7 offensive boards per game this year.

Trey Murphy has gone under 4.5 in 7 of his last 10 games.