Friday, March 17, 2017

Smoothie King Center

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The Houston Rockets travel to Smoothie King Center to play the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday, March 17, 2017. The opening line for this matchup has Houston as 5.5 point favorites.

The Rockets come into this game with an overall record of 47-21. They are 2nd in the Southwest Division. They currently have a point differential of 7.4 as they are averaging 115.5 points per game while giving up 108.1 per contest. The Pelicans have an overall record of 27-41. They currently are 5th in the Southwest Division. They are averaging 103.0 points per game and surrendering 105.9, good for a point differential of -2.9.

Valuable Houston Rockets Betting Trends

The Houston Rockets are 39-29-0 against the spread

The Houston Rockets are 35-32-1 against the over/under

Important New Orleans Pelicans Betting Trends

The New Orleans Pelicans are 32-34-2 against the spread

The New Orleans Pelicans are 30-38-0 against the over/under

Key Houston Rockets Injuries

No key injuries to report

Key New Orleans Pelicans Injuries

10/22/16 F Quincy Pondexter Knee out indefinitely
03/16/17 C Omer Asik Illness is downgraded to doubtful Friday vs. Houston
03/03/17 G Jarrett Jack Knee out indefinitely

Player Spotlight

James Harden comes into this contest averaging 28.9 points per game while playing 36.4 minutes per night so far this season for the Rockets. He pulls down 8 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 16.6 points per game in 30.5 minutes per contest this season. He averages 2.7 assists per contest and 2.6 rebounds per game for Houston. His field goal percentage is 41% for the year while his free throw percentage is 83%.

For expert handicapping advice on this matchup and other NBA games check out our handicapping tips.

Player Spotlight

Anthony Davis averages 27.9 points per game while playing 36.1 minutes per contest this year for the Pelicans. He grabs 11.8 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 26.7 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 34.1 minutes per contest. He also averages 10.8 rebounds per contest and 4.6 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 45% and his free throw percentage is 77%.

Useful Team Statistics

Houston averages 115.5 points per contest this season which ranks them 2nd in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 7.31 and their shooting percentage is 46% as a team which has them ranked 11th. Behind the arc they shoot 36% which is good for 15th in the league. They average 44.2 rebounds per game and 25.5 assists per game which ranks them 9th and 2nd in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 8th with 14.9 per game. The Rockets allow 108.1 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 23rd in the league. They also allow a 46% shooting percentage and a 35% average from behind the arc ranking them 21st and 4th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 43.5 rebounds a game which ranks 15th and they give up 23.4 assists per contest which puts them in 23rd place in the league. They force 15.2 turnovers per game which ranks them 26th in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

New Orleans averages 103 points per game this year which ranks them 22nd in the league. Their average scoring margin is -2.88 and their shooting percentage is 45% as a team which has them sitting in the 24th spot in the league. Behind the arc they shoot 35% which is good for 20th in the NBA. They average 44 rebounds per game and 22.3 assists per contest which ranks them 12th and 16th respectively. In the turnover department the Pelicans rank 23rd with 13.2 per game. The Pelicans allow 105.9 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 17th in the league. They also allow a 45% shooting percentage and a 35% average from behind the arc ranking them 5th and 7th in those defensive statistics. Opponents average 48.4 rebounds a game which ranks 30th and they give up 23 assists per contest which puts them in 18th place in the league. The Pelicans force 13.9 turnovers per game which ranks them 14th in the NBA.

Competitive Ratings

The Rockets have an offensive rating of 115.6 and a defensive rating of 108.3. In terms of pace they average 99.2 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 47% of their shots. Houston turns the ball over an average of 13.1 times per 100 possessions and they force 13.4 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 52%.

Competitive Ratings

The Pelicans rating on offense is 103.9 and they have a defensive rating of 106.8. They get 97.8 possessions per 48 minutes and they have an effective field goal percentage of 50%. As a unit they have a true shooting percentage of 53% and they attempt 3 pointers on 31% of their shot attempts. New Orleans turns the ball over on 12.1 out of every 100 possessions and their opponents average 12.4 turnovers per 100 possessions. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the year is 51%.

Who will win tonight's Rockets/Pelicans NBA game against the spread?

Tony's Pick: Take New Orleans +5.5

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