Houston Rockets at New Orleans Pelicans Picks and Prediction for Thursday, December 18, 2025
Use Code WWWC The Houston Rockets (16-7, 2nd Southwest) pay a visit to the land of Mardi Gras on Thursday to play the New Orleans Pelicans (5-22, 5th Southwest) in a Southwest Division showdown. Houston lost to the Denver Nuggets 128-125 on Monday night, and the Rockets have lost two of the last three. Houston is second in the Southwest Division, one game behind first-place San Antonio. New Orleans defeated the Chicago Bulls 114-104 on Sunday, securing their second consecutive win. However, the Pelicans remain last in the division, trailing first-place San Antonio by 14 games. Make sure to read this in-depth Houston Rockets vs New Orleans Pelicans prediction. Shoot for success! Check out our free NBA picks for the Houston Rockets at New Orleans Pelicans prediction and win today.
Houston is getting it done on offense and defense
The Houston Rockets are 5th in scoring, averaging 120.9 points per game, on 48.7% (5th) shooting overall and 39.9% (3rd) from 3-point land. Houston is 16th in free-throw shooting percentage at 79%. The Rockets’ defense ranks third in points allowed, with 111.2 points per game. Houston holds opponents to 46.0% shooting overall and 34.5% from 3-point territory, which are both seventh-best.
Kevin Durant is leading Houston in scoring, averaging 24.8 points per game, and Alperen Sengun is second, averaging 23.5 points per game. Houston has six players who average double figures in scoring. The Rockets average 48.7 rebounds per game, led by Sengun, averaging 9.4 boards per contest. Sengun is also the dish leader, averaging 7.1 assists per game, and he is the rim protector, averaging 1.0 blocked shots per game. Reed Sheppard is the leader in steals at 1.6 per game.
Injuries: Houston will play without Dorian Finney-Smith and Fred VanVleet, while Tari Eason is questionable.
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New Orleans needs a lift
The New Orleans Pelicans score an average of 114.2 points per game, which is 22nd, on 46.1% (20th) shooting overall and 34.4% (25th) from 3-point territory. The Pelicans are 20th in free-throw shooting percentage at 78.4%. The New Orleans defense allows an average of 122.9 points per game, which is 28th. The Pelicans allow opponents to shoot 49.3% (29th) overall and 36.3% (17th) from 3-point territory.
Zion Williamson is leading New Orleans in scoring, averaging 21.7 points per game, and Trey Murphy III is a close second at 21.1 points per game. New Orleans has six players who average double figures in scoring. The Pelicans grab an average of 42.9 rebounds per game, led by Murphy III, averaging 6.5 boards per game. Derik Queen is the dish leader, averaging 4.1 assists per game. Murphy III leads the Pelicans in steals at 1.7 per game, and Yves Missi is the rim protector, averaging 1.1 blocked shots per game. New Orleans averages 24.7 assists, 9.0 steals, 3.7 blocked shots and 13.4 turnovers per game
Injuries: New Orleans will play without Dejounte Murray.
Houston Rockets at New Orleans Pelicans Pick
Spread Pick for Rockets vs. Pelicans
- New Orleans Pelicans +9.5 ( units)
The Houston Rockets will pick up a victory on the road Thursday, but New Orleans will play well enough to cover the spread at home. New Orleans is coming off a pair of victories over Portland and Chicago, and the Pelicans are finally healthy, only missing Dejounte Murray. Zion Williamson has played well of late for the Pelicans, scoring 22 or more points in three of the last five games. The Pelicans have covered the spread in seven of their last eight games, and New Orleans is 6-0 ATS in its last six games against a team from the Western Conference. Houston is playing well, but the Rockets have failed to cover the spread in four of the last six games overall, and the Rockets are 2-6 ATS in the last eight games played during December. The Pelicans are allowing 122.9 points per game, but during their current two-game winning streak are allowing just 112 points per game.
Over/Under Pick for Rockets vs. Pelicans
- Under 235.5 (4 units)
Houston is third-best in points allowed at 111.2 points per game, and holds opponents to the seventh-lowest field goal shooting percentage. New Orleans is scoring an average of only 114.2 points per game. The total has finished under in four of the last six games that Houston has played on the road against New Orleans.
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