Houston Rockets vs. New Orleans Pelicans - 12/29/19 NBA Picks, Odds, and Prediction

Game: Houston Rockets vs New Orleans Pelicans

Date: Sunday, December 29, 2019

Location: Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, LA

TV: NBA TV

Odds/Point Spread: Houston -6.5

Total/Over-Under: 218

Smoothie King Center is the site where Brandon Ingram and the New Orleans Pelicans (9-23, 5th in the Southwest Division) will play the Houston Rockets (21-10, 1st in the Southwest Division) on Sunday. New Orleans opens this contest as 6.5 point dogs. The total opens at 218.

The Rockets cover the spread 48.4% of the time, having gone 15-16-0 ATS. New Orleans is covering 38.7% of the time, going 12-19-1 against the spread.

Key Houston Rockets Injuries

12/27/2019 Clint Capela C Heel Game Time Decision
12/27/2019 Eric Gordon SG Knee Expected to be out until at least Dec 29
12/26/2019 Thabo Sefolosha SF Illness Game Time Decision
12/16/2019 Nene C Hip Expected to be out until at least Jan 1
10/28/2019 Gerald Green SG Foot Expected to be out until at least Apr 15

Key New Orleans Pelicans Injuries

12/18/2019 Zion Williamson SF Knee Expected to be out until at least Jan 8
8/29/2019 Darius Miller SF Achilles Expected to be out until at least Apr 1

Player Spotlight

James Harden averages 38.1 points per game in 37.6 minutes per contest. He averages 7.5 assists per contest and 5.8 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 45% for the year while his free throw percentage is 88%. Russell Westbrook comes into this contest averaging 24.1 points per game while playing 35.3 minutes per night. He pulls down 8.1 rebounds per game and dishes out 7.1 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 43% while his free throw percentage is at 79%.

Player Spotlight

Jrue Holiday averages 19.7 points per game and he sees the court an average of 35.9 minutes per contest. He also averages 5.1 rebounds per contest and 6.5 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 44% and his free throw percentage is 69%. Brandon Ingram averages 25.3 points per game while playing 34.0 minutes per contest. He grabs 7.1 rebounds per game and has 3.8 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 49% and his free throw percentage is at 85%.

Useful Team Statistics

The Rockets allow 114.5 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 23rd in the league. They also allow a 46% shooting percentage and a 36% average from behind the arc, ranking them 17th and 14th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 46.1 rebounds a game which ranks 20th, and they give up 25.8 assists per contest which puts them in 27th place in the league. They force 15.8 turnovers per game which ranks them 23rd in the league. Houston averages 119.7 points per contest this season, which ranks them 2nd in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 5.2 and their shooting percentage is 45% as a team, which has them ranked 17th. Behind the arc they shoot 35% which is good for 20th in the league. They average 47.3 rebounds per game and 21.5 assists per contest, which ranks them 5th and 26th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 17th with 14.9 per game.

Useful Team Statistics

The Pelicans surrender 117.2 points per contest, which ranks them 28th in the NBA. Their defense allows a 47% shooting percentage and a 36% average from 3-point range, ranking them 23rd and 20th in those defensive statistics. They rank 21st with 24.8 assists allowed per contest, and 23rd with 46.4 rebounds surrendered per game. The Pelicans are 16th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 15.0 per game. New Orleans is 14th in the league with 111.6 points per game this year. They are 22nd in the league in shooting at 45%, while their average scoring margin is -5.6. They shoot 37% from 3-point range, which is good for 7th in the NBA. They are 15th in the league in rebounding with 45.6 boards per game and 12th in assists per contest with 24.6. The Pelicans are 7th in turnovers per game with 16.0.

Advanced Statistics

The Rockets are 2nd in the NBA in offensive rating with 114.6, and their defensive rating of 109.6 is ranked 16th. In terms of pace they are 2nd in the league with 103.7 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 54% is 6th. As a team they are 4th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 58% and they shoot 3-pointers on 50% of their shots, ranking 1st in the league. Houston is 20th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.7 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.4 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 53%, which is 13th in the league.

Advanced Statistics

New Orleans is 11th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.6 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.9 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 54%, which is 9th in the league. The Pelicans are 21st in the NBA in offensive rating with 107.2, and their defensive rating of 112.6 is ranked 24th. In terms of pace they are 5th in the league with 103.1 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 52% is 17th. As a team they are 19th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 55% and they shoot 3-pointers on 42% of their shots, ranking 5th in the league.

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

Josh's Pick: Take Houston -6.5

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