New Orleans Pelicans at Houston Rockets Expert NBA Picks Against the Spread 1/29/2019

Tuesday, January 29, 2019

Toyota Center

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The New Orleans Pelicans travel to Toyota Center to play the Houston Rockets on Tuesday, January 29, 2019. The opening line for this matchup has Houston as 9 point favorites.

The Pelicans head into this matchup with a mark of 22-28. They are 4th in the Southwest Division. They have a point differential of 1.5 as they average 116.6 points per contest while giving up 115.1 per game. The Rockets have an overall mark of 29-20. They currently are 1st in the Southwest Division. They total 112.2 points per contest and give up 110.7, which is a point differential of 1.6.

Valuable New Orleans Pelicans Betting Trends

The New Orleans Pelicans are 22-27-1 against the spread

The New Orleans Pelicans are 26-23-0 against the over/under

Important Houston Rockets Betting Trends

The Houston Rockets are 23-24-1 against the spread

The Houston Rockets are 26-21-0 against the over/under

Key New Orleans Pelicans Injuries

01/27/19 F Julius Randle Ankle is questionable Tuesday vs Houston
01/24/19 F Nikola Mirotic Calf is out indefinitely
01/19/19 F Anthony Davis Hand is out 1-2 weeks

Key Houston Rockets Injuries

01/14/19 C Clint Capela Thumb is out indefinitely

Player Spotlight

Jrue Holiday comes into this contest averaging 21.2 points per game while playing 36.8 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 4.9 rebounds per game and dishes out 8.1 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 48% while his free throw percentage currently sits at 75%. Julius Randle averages 19.9 points per game in 29.6 minutes per contest this season. He averages 3.0 assists per contest and 9.3 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 54% for the year while his free throw percentage is 74%.

Player Spotlight

James Harden averages 36.3 points per game while playing 37.4 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 6.6 rebounds per game and has 8.2 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 44% and his free throw percentage is at 87%. Austin Rivers averages 8.6 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 28.3 minutes per contest. He also averages 2.5 rebounds per contest and 2.6 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 40% and his free throw percentage is 53%.

Useful Team Statistics

New Orleans averages 116.6 points per contest this season, which ranks them 3rd in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 1.5 and their shooting percentage is 48% as a team, which has them ranked 3rd. Behind the arc they shoot 35% which is good for 14th in the league. They average 46.7 rebounds per game and 26.8 assists per game, which ranks them 8th and 4th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 11th with 14.0 per game. The Pelicans allow 115.1 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 26th in the league. They also allow a 46% shooting percentage and a 37% average from behind the arc, ranking them 18th and 27th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 44.4 rebounds a game which ranks 15th and they give up 25.7 assists per contest, which puts them in 25th place in the league. They force 12.9 turnovers per game which ranks them 10th in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Houston is 13th in the league with 112.2 points per game this year. They are 25th in the league in shooting at 45%, while their average scoring margin is 1.6. They shoot 35% from 3-point range, which is good for 20th in the NBA. They are 26th in the league in rebounding with 41.9 boards per game, and 28th in assists per contest with 20.7. The Rockets are 20th in turnovers per game with 13.4. The Rockets surrender 110.7 points per contest, which ranks them 15th in the NBA. Their defense allows a 47% shooting percentage and a 34% average from 3-point range, ranking them 27th and 3rd in those defensive statistics. They rank 7th with 23.1 assists allowed per contest and 16th with 44.5 rebounds surrendered per game. The Rockets are 19th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 14.0 per game.

Advanced Statistics

The Pelicans are 4th in the NBA in offensive rating with 114.3, and their defensive rating of 112.8 is ranked 24th. In terms of pace they are 6th in the league with 102 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 54% is 6th. As a team they are 7th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 31% of their shots, ranking 26th in the league. New Orleans is 17th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.1 times per 100 possessions while forcing 11.2 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 53%, which is 8th in the league.

Advanced Statistics

Houston is 16th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.1 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.6 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 53%, which is 7th in the league. The Rockets are 3rd in the NBA in offensive rating with 114.7, and their defensive rating of 113.1 is ranked 26th. In terms of pace they are 27th in the league with 96.8 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 53% is 7th. As a team they are 5th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 58% and they shoot 3-pointers on 51% of their shots, ranking 1st in the league.

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

Guy's Pick: Take Houston -9

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