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Houston Rockets vs New Orleans Pelicans December 19th 2024
At 8:00 ET, the Houston Rockets (-467) will host the New Orleans Pelicans (+359) in a Western Southwest division matchup. The Rockets are favored by 9.5 points and have a record of 17-9, which is good for 3rd in the Western Conference. Meanwhile, the Pelicans are 5-22 and have lost four straight games.
This game will be played at the Toyota Center in Houston and can be seen on SCHN. The over/under line is set at 217.5 points.
Pelicans vs. Rockets Key Information
- Sport: NBA
- Teams: New Orleans Pelicans at Houston Rockets
- Where: Houston at Toyota Center
- Date: Thursday, December 19th
- Betting Odds HOU -9.5, NO +359 | HOU -467 O/U 217.5
The Pelicans Can Win If…
The Pelicans dropped to 5-22 on the season after a 119-104 road loss to the Pacers on Sunday. New Orleans entered the game as +7 underdogs and failed to cover the spread. The total points for the game were 223, falling short of the 230.5 O/U line.
Indiana took control early with a 12-0 run, turning an 8-3 deficit into a 15-8 lead. The Pelicans struggled in the 2nd quarter, scoring just 14 points to the Pacers’ 28. Although New Orleans outscored Indiana 24-20 in the 4th, they couldn’t overcome a 99-80 deficit heading into the final period.
In their 119-104 loss to the Pacers, the Pelicans struggled offensively, shooting just 39.2% from the field and hitting 30.3% of their three-pointers, making only 10 from deep. Brandon Boston led New Orleans with 20 points, connecting on 3 threes at a 75% clip.
Herbert Jones and Dejounte Murray each contributed 19 points, with Murray adding 7 rebounds and 7 assists. Jones scored 10 of his points in the 3rd quarter, while Murray added 9 in the same period.
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The Pelicans struggled defensively in the 3rd quarter, giving up 40 points, which contributed to their 119-104 loss to the Pacers. They allowed Indiana to shoot 50% from the field, including 16 made threes at a 42% clip.
New Orleans sent the Pacers to the line 24 times, where they hit 21 free throws. The Pelicans recorded 11 steals and 4 blocks while allowing 7 offensive rebounds.
- Although New Orleans has a straight up record of 0-10 in their last ten road games, they have not held up as well vs the spread going 3-7. The team averaged 100 points per game in these games.
- Spanning across their last five games as the betting underdog, the Pelicans have gone 3-2 vs the spread. Their overall record in these games was 1-4.
- Over their last three games, the Pelicans have an over/under record of 1-2 and are 2-1 vs. the spread.
The Rockets Can Win If…
The Rockets fell to 17-9 on the season after a 111-96 loss to the Thunder on Saturday. Houston, who were +5.5 point underdogs, failed to cover the spread, losing by 15. The combined score of 207 points was under the O/U line of 215.
Oklahoma City took control with an 11-0 run, stretching the score from 51-48 to 59-51. Houston trailed 75-69 going into the 4th quarter but were outscored 36-27 in the final period.
The Rockets struggled offensively in their loss to the Thunder, shooting just 36.5% from the field and 23.9% from three-point range, connecting on only 11 threes. Amen Thompson led Houston with 19 points, scoring 10 of those in the second quarter.
Dillon Brooks and Jabari Smith each added 14 points, with Brooks hitting 4 threes despite shooting 30.8% from deep. Alperen Şengün contributed 9 of his 13 points in the 4th quarter, while Jalen Green and Tari Eason both finished with 12 points.
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The Rockets started strong defensively, holding the Thunder to just 18 points in the 1st quarter and 23 in the 2nd. But things unraveled in the 2nd half, as they gave up 34 points in the 3rd and 36 in the 4th, leading to a 111-96 loss.
Houston did a good job limiting Oklahoma City’s three-point shooting, allowing just 11 threes on 36% shooting. They also kept the Thunder off the offensive glass, giving up only 4 offensive rebounds. The Rockets finished the game with 7 steals and 3 blocks.
- Through their last three home games, Houston has an ATS record of just 1-2. However, their overall record was 1-2 while averaging 102 points per game.
- Going back to their last ten games as the favorite, the Rockets have a straight up record of 8-2. But, their mark vs the spread was just 7-3.
- In their last five games, the Rockets have an over/under record of 2-3 and are 3-2 vs. the spread.
The Lean
We’re calling a win for the Rockets, with a final score of 135-109, and we’re taking them to cover the spread. Our recommendation is to bet on the Rockets at -9.5.
Regarding the over/under, the current line is set at 217.5, and our model predicts the Pelicans and Rockets to score a combined 244 points. We recommend betting on the over.
Rockets Look to Build on NBA Cup Momentum Against Pelicans
The Houston Rockets, fresh off an impressive run to the NBA Cup semifinals, will aim to continue their strong start to the season when they host the New Orleans Pelicans on Thursday night.
Rockets Thriving Amid Momentum and Rest
After falling to the Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA Cup semifinals, the Rockets (12-10) have had time to regroup and refocus thanks to a favorable schedule. Coach Ime Udoka believes this break has been crucial for a team still finding its rhythm.
“It’s always beneficial this early in the season,” Udoka said. “We’ve been relatively healthy, and that’s a good sign. It’s a chance to get some practice in and review what we’ve done well and not so well up to this point.”
Houston’s defense has been its strong suit, ranking second in the NBA in defensive rating. However, offensive inconsistency—highlighted by 43.7 percent shooting overall (tied for 28th) and 32.2 percent from 3-point range (28th)—has held the team back.
Despite this, the Rockets’ young core, led by Jalen Green (19 points per game) and Alperen Sengun (18.6 points, 10.6 rebounds per game), has shown flashes of brilliance. Udoka has emphasized pace as a way to capitalize on the team’s youth and athleticism.
“You play faster, you play against less set defenses, and you get easier baskets,” Udoka explained. “The jump shots are pretty wide open, and we’re getting great looks. We just have to knock those down at a higher rate.”
Pelicans Struggling Amid Injuries
The Pelicans (6-18) have endured a difficult season, losing 13 of their past 14 games, including a 119-104 road defeat to the Indiana Pacers on Sunday. Injuries have decimated their rotation, sidelining key players like Zion Williamson (hamstring), Brandon Ingram (ankle), and Jose Alvarado (hamstring).
Coach Willie Green acknowledged the challenges of fielding a shorthanded roster:
“The margin for error is super small. You’ve got to take care of the ball, make shots, get stops, and convert when we turn other teams over.”
Despite the adversity, Green sees this as an opportunity for younger players to grow.
“It’s part of the adversity we have to go through in the NBA,” he said. “It’s also an opportunity for guys to step up and play larger roles.”
Key Matchups
Jalen Green vs. Pelicans’ Defense
Green’s scoring ability and explosiveness will challenge a Pelicans defense that has struggled to contain opposing guards. With the absence of Williamson and Ingram, New Orleans will need a team effort to slow down Houston’s dynamic backcourt.
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Alperen Sengun vs. New Orleans’ Frontcourt
Sengun’s combination of scoring and rebounding will be pivotal against the Pelicans’ depleted interior. The Rockets could dominate the paint, especially with the Pelicans lacking key bigs.
Houston’s Defense vs. Pelicans’ Offense
The Rockets’ defensive prowess will be on full display against a New Orleans offense missing its primary playmakers. Houston’s ability to force turnovers and limit scoring opportunities could decide the game.
What’s at Stake
For the Rockets, this game is a chance to solidify their momentum and continue their upward trajectory in the Western Conference standings.
For the Pelicans, it’s an opportunity to stop the bleeding and give their younger players valuable experience in a tough environment.
The Bottom Line
The Rockets come into this matchup as the more cohesive and healthier team, while the Pelicans are looking to piece together a competitive lineup amid a wave of injuries. If Houston can maintain its defensive intensity and find consistency on offense, the Rockets should have the upper hand in this contest.
