Saturday, December 26, 2015

Smoothie King Center

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

The Houston Rockets travel to Smoothie King Center to play the New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday, December 26, 2015. The opening line for this game has New Orleans as 1 point favorites and the over/under has been set at 212.

The Rockets come into this game with an overall record of 15-15 and a road record of 6-8. They are 4th in the Southwest Division. They currently have a point differential of -1.5 as they are averaging 104.1 points per game while giving up 105.6 per contest. The Pelicans have an overall record of 9-20 and a home record of 6-6. They currently are 5th in the Southwest Division. They are averaging 102.2 points per game and surrendering 107.1, good for a point differential of -4.8.

James Harden comes into this contest averaging 28.8 points per game while playing 38.2 minutes per night so far this season for the Rockets. He pulls down 6 rebounds per game and dishes out 6.8 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 42% while his free throw percentage is currently at 87%. Dwight Howard averages 12.9 points per game in 31.8 minutes per contest this season. He averages 1.5 assists per contest and 11.5 rebounds per game for Houston. His field goal percentage is 59% for the year while his free throw percentage is 51%.

Anthony Davis averages 23.4 points per game while playing 35.8 minutes per contest this year for the Pelicans. He grabs 10.8 rebounds per game and has 1.4 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 49% and his free throw percentage currently is at 76%. Ryan Anderson averages 17.3 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 31.7 minutes per contest. He also averages 6.4 rebounds per contest and 1.1 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 44% and his free throw percentage is 88%.

Houston averages 104.1 points per contest this season which ranks them 4th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is -1.5 and their shooting percentage is 44% as a team which has them ranked 22nd. Behind the arc they shoot 34% which is good for 21st in the league. They average 53.5 rebounds per game and 21.3 assists per game which ranks them 7th and 18th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 28th with 16.8 per game. The Rockets allow 105.6 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 27th in the league. They also allow a 46% shooting percentage and a 34% average from behind the arc ranking them 27th and 14th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 53.8 rebounds a game which ranks 24th and they give up 23.9 assists per contest which puts them in 28th place in the league. They force 16.5 turnovers per game which ranks them 5th in the league.

New Orleans averages 102.8 points per game this year which ranks them 7th in the league. Their average scoring margin is -4.8 and their shooting percentage is 45% as a team which has them sitting in the 15th spot in the league. Behind the arc they shoot 36% which is good for 9th in the NBA. They average 49.8 rebounds per game and 21.4 assists per contest which ranks them 26th and 16th respectively. In the turnover department the Pelicans rank 5th with 13.8 per game. The Pelicans allow 107.5 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 29th in the league. They also allow a 46% shooting percentage and a 39% average from behind the arc ranking them 24th and 29th in those defensive statistics. Opponents average 52.8 rebounds a game which ranks 17th and they give up 22.3 assists per contest which puts them in 19th place in the league. The Pelicans force 13.1 turnovers per game which ranks them 27th in the NBA.

Houston Rockets Betting Trends

The Houston Rockets are 12-18-0 against the spread

The Houston Rockets are 12-16-2 against the over/under

New Orleans Pelicans Betting Trends

The New Orleans Pelicans are 11-18-0 against the spread

The New Orleans Pelicans are 12-16-1 against the over/under

Houston Rockets Injuries

11/18/15 F Sam Dekker Back out indefinitely

New Orleans Pelicans Injuries

12/25/15 C Alexis Ajinca Calf "?" Saturday vs. Houston
10/26/15 F/G Quincy Pondexter Knee out indefinitely

Tony's Pick: Take Houston

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here

Read more articles by Tony Sink