New Orleans Pelicans at Houston Rockets NBA Picks & Predictions 3/24/2018

Saturday, March 24, 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 Saturday, March 24, 2018. The opening line for this game has Houston as 9.5 point favorites.

The Pelicans head into this matchup with a mark of 43-30. They are 2nd in the Southwest Division. They currently have a point differential of 0.7 as they are averaging 111.7 points per contest while giving up 111.0 per game. The Rockets have an overall mark of 58-14. They currently are 1st in the Southwest Division. They are averaging 113.5 points per contest and giving up 104.7, which is a point differential of 8.8.

Valuable New Orleans Pelicans Betting Trends

The New Orleans Pelicans are 41-32-0 against the spread

The New Orleans Pelicans are 43-30-0 against the over/under

Important Houston Rockets Betting Trends

The Houston Rockets are 37-33-2 against the spread

The Houston Rockets are 31-40-1 against the over/under

Key New Orleans Pelicans Injuries

10/20/17 C Alexis Ajinca Knee is out indefinitely
01/27/18 F DeMarcus Cousins Achilles is out for season

Key Houston Rockets Injuries

03/23/18 G Chris Paul Hamstring is "?" Saturday vs New Orleans
03/23/18 G James Harden Ankle injured last game, is probable Saturday vs New Orleans
03/23/18 F Luc Mbah a Moute Knee is downgraded to OUT Saturday vs New Orleans

Player Spotlight

Anthony Davis comes into this game averaging 28.2 points per contest while playing 36.5 minutes per night so far this year. He grabs 11.1 rebounds per contest and distributes 2.3 assists per game. His FG percentage is 54% while his free throw percentage is 83%. Jrue Holiday averages 19.1 points per contest in 36.4 minutes per game this year. He averages 5.8 assists per game and 4.4 rebounds per contest for New Orleans. His field goal percentage is 49% for the season while his free throw percentage is 78%.

Player Spotlight

Eric Gordon has scored 18.1 points per contest while playing 31.5 minutes per game this season for the Rockets. He hauls in 2.5 rebounds per contest and has 2.2 assists per game on the season. His FG percentage is 42% and his free throw percentage is at 81%. Chris Paul averages 18.8 points per game this year and he's on the court an average of 31.9 minutes per game. He also brings in 5.6 rebounds per game and 7.9 assists per contest. His field goal percentage is 46% and his free throw percentage is 92%.

Useful Team Statistics

New Orleans averages 111.7 points per contest this year, which is 4th in the league. Their average scoring margin is 0.74 and their shooting percentage is 48% as a unit, which has them ranked 2nd. From 3-point territory they shoot 36%, which is good for 17th in the NBA. They average 44 boards per contest and 26.5 assists per game, which ranks them 14th and 2nd in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they are 9th with 14.9 per game. The Pelicans allow 111 points per contest which is 29th in the NBA. They also surrender a 46% shooting percentage and a 36% average from 3-point range, ranking them 9th and 11th in defensive field goal percentage. Opponents average 45.4 rebounds a game which ranks 26th, and they allow 23.8 assists per game which puts them in 19th place in the league. They force 14.3 turnovers per game which ranks them 14th in the NBA.

Useful Team Statistics

Houston is 2nd in the NBA with 113.5 points per contest this season. They are 13th in the league in shooting at 46%, while their average scoring margin is 8.78. They shoot 37% from beyond the arc, which is good for 13th in the league. They are 18th in the NBA in rebounding with 43.5 boards per contest and 24th in assists per game with 21.7. The Rockets are 20th in turnovers per contest with 13.8. The Rockets give up 104.7 points per game, which ranks them 10th in the league. Their defense is surrendering a 47% shooting percentage and a 36% average from behind the 3-point line, ranking them 18th and 9th in those defensive statistics. They rank 11th with 22.7 dimes allowed per game and 3rd with 41.6 boards surrendered per contest. The Rockets are 18th in the league in forcing turnovers with 14.5 per contest this year.

Advanced Statistics

The Pelicans are 10th in the league in defensive rating with 109, and their offensive rating of 109.7 is ranked 15th. They are 3rd in the NBA in pace with 100.3 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 54% is 4th. As a unit they are 5th in the league in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 32% of their shot attempts, ranking 19th in the NBA. New Orleans is 13th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.3 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.4 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 52%, which is 22nd in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Houston is 20th in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.6 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.3 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 53%, which is 13th in the NBA. The Rockets are 1st in the league in defensive rating with 106.8, and their offensive rating of 115.8 is ranked 24th. They are 13th in the NBA in pace with 97.6 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 50% of their shot attempts, ranking 1st in the NBA.

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

Tony's Pick: Take Houston -9.5

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here

Read more articles by Tony Sink