Friday, March 24, 2017

Toyota Center

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The New Orleans Pelicans head to Toyota Center to take on the Houston Rockets on Friday, March 24, 2017. The opening line for this game has Houston as 7.5 point favorites.

The Pelicans come into this game with an overall record of 30-41. They are 5th in the Southwest Division. They currently have a point differential of -2.2 as they are averaging 103.5 points per game while giving up 105.7 per contest. The Rockets have an overall record of 49-22. They currently are 2nd in the Southwest Division. They are averaging 115.5 points per game and surrendering 108.6, good for a point differential of 6.9.

Valuable New Orleans Pelicans Betting Trends

The New Orleans Pelicans are 35-34-2 against the spread

The New Orleans Pelicans are 32-39-0 against the over/under

Important Houston Rockets Betting Trends

The Houston Rockets are 40-31-0 against the spread

The Houston Rockets are 37-33-1 against the over/under

Key New Orleans Pelicans Injuries

10/22/16 F Quincy Pondexter Knee out indefinitely
03/17/17 C Omer Asik Illness out indefinitely
03/03/17 G Jarrett Jack Knee out indefinitely

Key Houston Rockets Injuries

No key injuries to report

Player Spotlight

Anthony Davis comes into this game averaging 27.7 points per contest while playing 36.2 minutes per night so far this year for the Pelicans. He pulls down 11.8 rebounds per contest and dishes out 2.1 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 50% while his free throw percentage is currently at 80%. Demarcus Cousins averages 26.7 points per game in 34.1 minutes per contest this season. He averages 4.6 assists per contest and 10.9 rebounds per game for New Orleans. His field goal percentage is 45% for the year while his free throw percentage is 77%.

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Player Spotlight

James Harden averages 29.4 points per game while playing 36.5 minutes per contest this year for the Rockets. He grabs 8.1 rebounds per game and has 11.2 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 45% and his free throw percentage currently is at 85%. Eric Gordon averages 16.4 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 30.6 minutes per contest. He also averages 2.6 rebounds per contest and 2.7 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 41% and his free throw percentage is 83%.

Useful Team Statistics

New Orleans averages 103.5 points per contest this season which ranks them 20th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is -2.15 and their shooting percentage is 45% as a team which has them ranked 22nd. Behind the arc they shoot 35% which is good for 20th in the league. They average 44.2 rebounds per game and 22.5 assists per game which ranks them 10th and 13th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 24th with 13.3 per game. The Pelicans allow 105.7 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 5th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 48.1 rebounds a game which ranks 30th and they give up 23 assists per contest which puts them in 19th place in the league. They force 13.9 turnovers per game which ranks them 14th in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Houston averages 115.5 points per game this year which ranks them 2nd in the league. Their average scoring margin is 6.85 and their shooting percentage is 46% as a team which has them sitting in the 9th spot in the league. Behind the arc they shoot 36% which is good for 14th in the NBA. They average 44.2 rebounds per game and 25.3 assists per contest which ranks them 9th and 2nd respectively. In the turnover department the Rockets rank 7th with 15 per game. The Rockets allow 108.6 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 23rd and 6th in those defensive statistics. Opponents average 43.7 rebounds a game which ranks 16th and they give up 23.5 assists per contest which puts them in 23rd place in the league. The Rockets force 15.5 turnovers per game which ranks them 28th in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

The Pelicans have an offensive rating of 104.4 and a defensive rating of 106.6. In terms of pace they average 97.9 possessions per 48 minutes and their effective field goal percentage is 50%. As a team they have a true shooting percentage of 54% and they shoot 3 pointers on 31% of their shots. New Orleans turns the ball over an average of 12.1 times per 100 possessions and they force 12.5 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 51%.

Advanced Statistics

The Rockets rating on offense is 115.1 and they have a defensive rating of 108.3. They get 99.7 possessions per 48 minutes and they have an effective field goal percentage of 55%. As a unit they have a true shooting percentage of 59% and they attempt 3 pointers on 46% of their shot attempts. Houston turns the ball over on 13.2 out of every 100 possessions and their opponents average 13.7 turnovers per 100 possessions. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the year is 52%.

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

Josh's Pick: Take New Orleans +7.5

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