New Orleans Pelicans at Houston Rockets NBA Picks & Predictions 10/17/2018

Wednesday, October 17, 2018

Toyota Center

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The New Orleans Pelicans head to Toyota Center to take on the Houston Rockets on Wednesday, October 17, 2018. The opening line for this game has Houston as 7 point favorites.

The Pelicans head into this matchup after finishing last year with a mark of 48-34. They were 2nd in the Southwest Division. They had a point differential of 1.3 as they averaged 111.7 points per contest while giving up 110.4 per game. The Rockets had an overall mark of 65-17 last year. They were 1st in the Southwest Division. They averaged 112.4 points per contest and gave up 103.9, which was a point differential of 8.5.

Valuable New Orleans Pelicans Betting Trends

The New Orleans Pelicans were 52-38-1 against the spread last season

The New Orleans Pelicans were 52-39-0 against the over/under last year

Important Houston Rockets Betting Trends

The Houston Rockets were 50-47-2 against the spread last season

The Houston Rockets were 40-57-0 against the over/under last year

Key New Orleans Pelicans Injuries

10/11/18 C Alexis Ajinca Knee is out indefinitely

Key Houston Rockets Injuries

10/11/18 C Clint Capela Hand is probable Wednesday vs New Orleans
10/11/18 C Nene Hilario Calf is questionable Wednesday vs New Orleans
10/11/18 F Marquese Chriss Ankle is out indefinitely

Player Spotlight

Jrue Holiday comes into this game after averaging 19.0 points per contest while playing 36.1 minutes per night last year. He grabbed 4.5 rebounds per contest and distributed 6.0 assists per game. His FG percentage was 49% while his free throw percentage was 79%. Anthony Davis averaged 28.1 points per contest in 36.4 minutes per game last year. He averaged 2.3 assists per game and 11.1 rebounds per contest. His field goal percentage was 53% for the season while his free throw percentage was 83%.

Player Spotlight

Chris Paul scored 18.6 points per contest while playing 31.8 minutes per game last season. He hauled in 5.4 rebounds per contest and had 7.9 assists per game on the season. His FG percentage was 46% and his free throw percentage finished at 92%. James Harden averaged 30.4 points per game last year and he saw the court an average of 35.4 minutes per game. He also brought in 5.4 rebounds per game and had 8.8 assists per contest. His field goal percentage was 45% and his free throw percentage was 86%.

Useful Team Statistics

New Orleans averaged 111.7 points per contest last year, which was 3rd in the league. Their average scoring margin was 1.3 and their shooting percentage was 48% as a unit, which had them ranked 2nd. From 3-point territory they shot 36%, which was good for 14th in the NBA. They averaged 44.4 boards per contest and 26.8 assists per game, which ranked them 10th and 3rd in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they were 9th with 14.9 per game. The Pelicans allowed 110.4 points per contest, which was 29th in the NBA. They also surrendered a 45% shooting percentage and a 36% average from 3-point range, ranking them 9th and 8th in defensive field goal percentage. Opponents averaged 45.5 rebounds a game which ranked 25th, and they allowed 23.7 assists per game which put them in 20th place in the league. They forced 14.5 turnovers per game which ranked them 20th in the NBA.

Useful Team Statistics

Houston was 2nd in the NBA with 112.4 points per contest last season. They were 15th in the league in shooting at 46%, while their average scoring margin was 8.48. They shot 36% from beyond the arc, which was good for 13th in the league. They were 19th in the NBA in rebounding with 43.5 boards per contest and 26th in assists per game with 21.5. The Rockets were 19th in turnovers per contest with 13.8. The Rockets gave up 103.9 points per game, which ranked them 7th in the league. Their defense surrendered a 46% shooting percentage and a 35% average from behind the 3-point line, ranking them 16th and 7th in those defensive statistics. They ranked 11th with 22.4 dimes allowed per game and 4th with 42.0 boards surrendered per contest. The Rockets were 21st in the league in forcing turnovers with 14.6 per contest last year.

Advanced Statistics

The Pelicans were 10th in the league in defensive rating with 108.3, and their offensive rating of 109.6 was ranked 14th. They were 1st in the NBA in pace with 100.5 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 54% was 4th. As a unit they were 5th in the league in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shot 3-pointers on 32% of their shot attempts, ranking 20th in the NBA. New Orleans was 14th in turnovers, as they turned the ball over an average of 13.3 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.5 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year was 51%, which was 22nd in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Houston was 19th in the league in turnovers, as they turned the ball over an average of 12.7 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.4 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year was 52%, which was 18th in the NBA. The Rockets were 1st in the league in defensive rating with 106.1, and their offensive rating of 114.7 was ranked 6th. They were 13th in the NBA in pace with 97.6 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 55% was 2nd. As a unit they were 2nd in the league in true shooting percentage with 59% and they shot 3-pointers on 50% of their shot attempts, ranking 1st in the NBA.

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

Josh's Pick: Take Houston +7

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