Houston Rockets vs New Orleans Pelicans Prediction & Betting Tips - NBA

Prediction published on 19/12/2024, 05:22  by Devesh Jaganath | Modified on 19/12/2024 at 05:25 in NBA Predictions

The Houston Rockets and New Orleans Pelicans will face off at the Toyota Center in the NBA on Friday morning. The Rockets (17-9) are third in the Western Conference while the Pels (5-22) are bottom of the conference standings. Check out our match prediction below. 

The Houston Rockets have won five of their last eight matches and will be looking to put the disappointment of losing 111-96 to the Thunder in the NBA Cup on Saturday behind them. 

Amen Thompson top-scored with 19 points in that defeat, but the likes of Dillon Brooks and Fred VanVleet struggled against OKC’s defence, with both players shooting under 30% from the field.

The Rockets are averaging 112.1 points per game, but their biggest strength has been at the other end, where they are allowing just 106.1 PPG (fourth-best in the league).

Meanwhile, with a laundry list of injury absentees, the Pelicans continue to battle at the bottom of the table and suffered their fifth straight loss on Monday 119-104 to the Pacers. 

Brandon Boston and Herbert Jones put up 20 and 19 points respectively, but as a collective, New Orleans shot just 39% from the field and managed only 14 points in the second quarter. 

The Pels are the lowest-scoring team in the NBA this season, averaging 105.1 points per game, while on defence they are ranked 24th overall, allowing 116.6 PPG.