Houston Rockets at New Orleans Pelicans Expert NBA Picks Against the Spread 3/24/2019

Sunday, March 24, 2019

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 Sunday, March 24, 2019. The opening line for this matchup has Houston as 5.5 point favorites.

The Rockets have a record of 46-27. They are 1st in the Southwest Division. They have a point differential of 3.1 as they average 113.1 points per game while giving up 110.0 per contest. The Pelicans have an overall mark of 31-43. They currently are 3rd in the Southwest Division. They total 115.7 points per contest and give up 116.1, which is a point differential of -0.4.

Valuable Houston Rockets Betting Trends

The Houston Rockets are 33-37-3 against the spread

The Houston Rockets are 36-36-0 against the over/under

Important New Orleans Pelicans Betting Trends

The New Orleans Pelicans are 35-38-1 against the spread

The New Orleans Pelicans are 39-34-0 against the over/under

Key Houston Rockets Injuries

No key injuries to report

Key New Orleans Pelicans Injuries

03/22/19 F Anthony Davis Personal is questionable Sunday vs Houston
03/07/19 G E'Twaun Moore Quad is out indefinitely
03/07/19 PG Jrue Holiday Abdominal is out indefinitely

Player Spotlight

James Harden comes into this contest averaging 36.5 points per game while playing 37.3 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 6.5 rebounds per game and dishes out 7.6 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 44% while his free throw percentage currently sits at 88%. Chris Paul averages 15.7 points per game in 32.6 minutes per contest this season. He averages 8.1 assists per contest and 4.6 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 42% for the year while his free throw percentage is 86%.

Player Spotlight

Julius Randle averages 21.0 points per game while playing 30.5 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 8.7 rebounds per game and has 3.1 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 52% and his free throw percentage is at 73%. Anthony Davis averages 26.2 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 33.3 minutes per contest. He also averages 12.0 rebounds per contest and 3.9 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 52% and his free throw percentage is 79%.

Useful Team Statistics

Houston averages 113.1 points per contest this season, which ranks them 11th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 3.1 and their shooting percentage is 45% as a team, which has them ranked 26th. Behind the arc they shoot 35% which is good for 18th in the league. They average 41.6 rebounds per game and 20.9 assists per game, which ranks them 28th and 28th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 23rd with 13.6 per game. The Rockets allow 110.0 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 12th in the league. They also allow a 47% shooting percentage and a 34% average from behind the arc, ranking them 24th and 5th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 45.1 rebounds a game which ranks 16th and they give up 23.5 assists per contest, which puts them in 9th place in the league. They force 15.1 turnovers per game which ranks them 22nd in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

New Orleans is 3rd in the league with 115.7 points per game this year. They are 5th in the league in shooting at 47%, while their average scoring margin is -0.5. They shoot 35% from 3-point range, which is good for 25th in the NBA. They are 5th in the league in rebounding with 47.3 boards per game, and 3rd in assists per contest with 27.1. The Pelicans are 9th in turnovers per game with 14.6. The Pelicans surrender 116.1 points per contest, which ranks them 29th in the NBA. Their defense allows a 47% shooting percentage and a 36% average from 3-point range, ranking them 22nd and 20th in those defensive statistics. They rank 29th with 26.5 assists allowed per contest and 19th with 45.6 rebounds surrendered per game. The Pelicans are 15th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 13.7 per game.

Advanced Statistics

The Rockets are 2nd in the NBA in offensive rating with 114.8, and their defensive rating of 111.7 is ranked 21st. In terms of pace they are 28th in the league with 97.7 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 54% is 4th. As a team they are 3rd in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 58% and they shoot 3-pointers on 51% of their shots, ranking 1st in the league. Houston is 21st in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.2 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.5 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 53%, which is 11th in the league.

Advanced Statistics

New Orleans is 17th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.4 times per 100 possessions while forcing 11.8 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 53%, which is 9th in the league. The Pelicans are 11th in the NBA in offensive rating with 111.7, and their defensive rating of 112.2 is ranked 23rd. In terms of pace they are 3rd in the league with 103.3 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 53% is 12th. As a team they are 12th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 56% and they shoot 3-pointers on 32% of their shots, ranking 24th in the league.

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

Guy's Pick: Take New Orleans +5.5

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