Thursday, February 23, 2017

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 Thursday, February 23, 2017. The opening line for this matchup has New Orleans as 1 point favorites.

The Rockets come into this game with an overall record of 40-18. They are 2nd in the Southwest Division. They currently have a point differential of 6.4 as they are averaging 114.4 points per game while giving up 108.0 per contest. The Pelicans have an overall record of 23-34. They currently are 4th in the Southwest Division. They are averaging 103.4 points per game and surrendering 106.5, good for a point differential of -3.1.

James Harden comes into this contest averaging 29.2 points per game while playing 36.6 minutes per night so far this season for the Rockets. He pulls down 8.3 rebounds per game and dishes out 11.3 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 44% while his free throw percentage is currently at 85%. Eric Gordon averages 17.2 points per game in 30.5 minutes per contest this season. He averages 2.8 assists per contest and 2.7 rebounds per game for Houston. His field goal percentage is 42% for the year while his free throw percentage is 84%.

Anthony Davis averages 27.7 points per game while playing 36.4 minutes per contest this year for the Pelicans. He grabs 12 rebounds per game and has 2.2 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 50% and his free throw percentage currently is at 80%. Demarcus Cousins averages 27.8 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 34.4 minutes per contest. He also averages 10.7 rebounds per contest and 4.9 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 45% and his free throw percentage is 77%.

Houston averages 114.4 points per contest this season which ranks them 2nd in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 6.45 and their shooting percentage is 47% as a team which has them ranked 8th. Behind the arc they shoot 36% which is good for 11th in the league. They average 44 rebounds per game and 25.4 assists per game which ranks them 11th and 2nd in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 6th with 15.4 per game. The Rockets allow 108 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 24th in the league. They also allow a 46% shooting percentage and a 35% average from behind the arc ranking them 22nd and 8th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 43.2 rebounds a game which ranks 14th and they give up 23.2 assists per contest which puts them in 23rd place in the league. They force 15.2 turnovers per game which ranks them 25th in the league.

New Orleans averages 103.4 points per game this year which ranks them 21st in the league. Their average scoring margin is -3.14 and their shooting percentage is 45% as a team which has them sitting in the 21st spot in the league. Behind the arc they shoot 36% which is good for 17th in the NBA. They average 43.9 rebounds per game and 22.5 assists per contest which ranks them 13th and 14th respectively. In the turnover department the Pelicans rank 25th with 13 per game. The Pelicans allow 106.5 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 22nd in the league. They also allow a 45% shooting percentage and a 35% average from behind the arc ranking them 7th and 7th in those defensive statistics. Opponents average 48.5 rebounds a game which ranks 30th and they give up 23.4 assists per contest which puts them in 24th place in the league. The Pelicans force 13.7 turnovers per game which ranks them 13th in the NBA.

The Rockets have an offensive rating of 114.5 and a defensive rating of 108. In terms of pace they average 99.3 possessions per 48 minutes and their effective field goal percentage is 55%. As a team they have a true shooting percentage of 59% and they shoot 3 pointers on 46% of their shots. Houston turns the ball over an average of 13.6 times per 100 possessions and they force 13.5 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 52%.

The Pelicans rating on offense is 104.1 and they have a defensive rating of 107.3. They get 98 possessions per 48 minutes and they have an effective field goal percentage of 50%. As a unit they have a true shooting percentage of 54% and they attempt 3 pointers on 31% of their shot attempts. New Orleans turns the ball over on 11.9 out of every 100 possessions and their opponents average 12.2 turnovers per 100 possessions. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the year is 51%.

Houston Rockets Betting Trends

The Houston Rockets are 33-25-0 against the spread

The Houston Rockets are 31-27-0 against the over/under

New Orleans Pelicans Betting Trends

The New Orleans Pelicans are 27-29-1 against the spread

The New Orleans Pelicans are 27-30-0 against the over/under

Houston Rockets Injuries

02/22/17 F Louis Williams Acquired doubtful Thursday vs. New Orleans
02/21/17 PG Patrick Beverley Groin is upgraded to probable Thursday vs New Orleans

New Orleans Pelicans Injuries

10/22/16 F Quincy Pondexter Knee out indefinitely
02/22/17 C DeMarcus Cousins Acquired probable Thursday vs. Houston
02/22/17 F Omri Casspi Acquired probable Thursday vs. Houston
02/22/17 F Dante Cunningham Personal "?" Thursday vs. Houston
02/22/17 F Terrence Jones Thumb "?" Thursday vs. Houston

Guy's Pick: Take New Orleans -1

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