Houston Rockets at New Orleans Pelicans NBA Picks & Predictions 1/26/2018

Friday, January 26, 2018

Smoothie King Center

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Houston Rockets travel to Smoothie King Center to play the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday, January 26, 2018. The opening line for this matchup has Houston as 4.5 point favorites.

The Rockets come into this game with an overall record of 34-12. They are 1st in the Southwest Division. They currently have a point differential of 7.8 as they are averaging 114.1 points per game while giving up 106.3 per contest. The Pelicans have an overall mark of 26-21. They currently are 3rd in the Southwest Division. They are averaging 111.0 points per contest and giving up 110.6, which is a point differential of 0.4.

Valuable Houston Rockets Betting Trends

The Houston Rockets are 23-22-1 against the spread

The Houston Rockets are 21-24-1 against the over/under

Important New Orleans Pelicans Betting Trends

The New Orleans Pelicans are 25-22-0 against the spread

The New Orleans Pelicans are 28-19-0 against the over/under

Key Houston Rockets Injuries

No key injuries to report

Key New Orleans Pelicans Injuries

12/12/17 G Tony Allen Knee is out indefinitely
10/20/17 C Alexis Ajinca Knee is out indefinitely
10/14/17 F Solomon Hill Hamstring is out indefinitely

Player Spotlight

Chris Paul comes into this contest averaging 18.8 points per game while playing 32.2 minutes per night so far this season for the Rockets. He pulls down 5.9 rebounds per game and dishes out 8.8 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 45% while his free throw percentage is currently at 91%. Eric Gordon averages 19.5 points per game in 32.7 minutes per contest this season. He averages 2.6 assists per contest and 2.4 rebounds per game for Houston. His field goal percentage is 42% for the year while his free throw percentage is 82%.

Player Spotlight

Demarcus Cousins averages 25.4 points per game while playing 36.3 minutes per contest this year for the Pelicans. He grabs 12.9 rebounds per game and has 5.2 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 47% and his free throw percentage currently is at 75%. Jrue Holiday averages 18.6 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 37 minutes per contest. He also averages 4.4 rebounds per contest and 5.1 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 49% and his free throw percentage is 81%.

Useful Team Statistics

Houston averages 114.1 points per contest this season, which ranks them 2nd in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 7.83 and their shooting percentage is 46% as a team, which has them ranked 12th. Behind the arc they shoot 37% which is good for 11th in the league. They average 44 rebounds per game and 22.3 assists per game, which ranks them 14th and 16th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 12th with 14.8 per game. The Rockets allow 106.3 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 18th in the league. They also allow a 47% shooting percentage and a 37% average from behind the arc, ranking them 22nd and 24th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 41.1 rebounds a game which ranks 4th and they give up 22.8 assists per contest, which puts them in 14th place in the league. They force 15.1 turnovers per game which ranks them 21st in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

New Orleans is 4th in the league with 111 points per game this year. They are 2nd in the league in shooting at 49%, while their average scoring margin is 0.4. They shoot 37% from 3-point range, which is good for 10th in the NBA. They are 17th in the league in rebounding with 43.1 boards per game, and 2nd in assists per contest with 26.3. The Pelicans are 4th in turnovers per game with 15.8. The Pelicans surrender 110.6 points per contest, which ranks them 29th in the NBA. Their defense is allowing a 46% shooting percentage and a 36% average from 3-point range, ranking them 16th and 15th in those defensive statistics. They rank 25th with 24.2 assists allowed per contest and 20th with 43.9 rebounds surrendered per game. The Pelicans are 15th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 14.7 per game this season.

Advanced Statistics

The Rockets are 2nd in the league in defensive rating with 107, and their offensive rating of 114.9 is ranked 20th. They are 8th in the NBA in pace with 98.9 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 55% is 2nd. As a unit they are 2nd in the league in true shooting percentage with 59% and they shoot 3-pointers on 51% of their shot attempts, ranking 1st in the NBA. Houston is 17th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.3 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.8 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 53%, which is 7th in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

New Orleans is 4th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 14.2 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.9 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 52%, which is 15th in the league. The Pelicans are 6th in the NBA in offensive rating with 110, and their defensive rating of 109.6 is ranked 8th. In terms of pace they are 6th in the league with 99.4 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 55% is 3rd. As a team they are 4th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 58% and they shoot 3-pointers on 34% of their shots, ranking 12th in the league.

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

Guy's Pick: Take New Orleans +4.5

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