by Chuck Sommers
Saturday, Nov 12, 2022
Time: 8:30 p.m. ET
Venue: Smoothie King Center, New Orleans, LA
Where to watch: NBA TV, Bally Sports New Orleans, AT&T Sportsnet-Southwest
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Pelicans -10.5
FanDuel: Pelicans -10.5
BetMGM: Pelicans -10.5
Caesars: Pelicans -10.5
Season record
Rockets: 2-10
Pelicans: 6-6
What a thrilling start to the NBA season, and it's time to get your picks in for what should be an enticing season. A lot of new faces in new places already making an impact, and our champion handicappers are already starting to take notice. Look at our own Jack Banks off to a 3-0-0 start in the NBA this week. Nelly's Sports is also at 4-0-0 while Jim Feist has also cashed on his first two of the year. As the season progresses, you know we're going to be in a position to deliver you the best analysis and picks that one can have in this market. Make sure you check out our Best Bets page at bigal.com to find all of our handicappers' selections, comprehensive previews, and more!
Rockets - Pelicans preview, prediction and analysis
Recent form
Rockets: lost seven of eight; lost 116-109 at Raptors on Wednesday
Pelicans: lost four of six; lost 106-95 vs. Trail Blazers on Thursday
The promising start for the New Orleans Pelicans has fizzled over the last four games, but Saturday will be a good opportunity for the talented team in the Bayou to get back on track when they welcome the 2-10 Houston Rockets to town.
The promising start for the New Orleans Pelicans has fizzled over the last four games, but Saturday will be a good opportunity for the talented team in the Bayou to get back on track when they welcome the 2-10 Houston Rockets to town.
The Pelicans got off to a fun start and showed that with this collection of young talent, that they may be taken seriously in this league. But with three losses in four games, the Pelicans are starting to hit a bit of a slump. New Orleans is coming off a 106-95 loss at home to the Portland Trail Blazers (who are off to a tremendous 9-3 start of their own).
The Pelicans shot just under 42 percent from the floor despite the best game of the year from Zion Williamson, going for 29 points on 9 of 14 shooting and grabbing six rebounds. Brandon Ingram was held to just 6 of 12 shooting for 14 points, and CJ McCollum had just 13 points on 17 shots. New Orleans went just 10 of 28 from 3-point range, with McCollum going 1-of-7. Without a doubt, the Pelicans’ worst offensive performance of the season finishing 16 points below their season average.
"I thought they just played harder, and we didn't play smart," New Orleans coach Willie Green said. "They scored 21 points off our 17 turnovers, off of just mindless plays. That's the ball game for us."
McCollum said he was battling an illness this week, hence his rough shooting numbers, but he’s not using that as an excuse through the last three games. McCollum has shot 29 percent his last three games.
"I don't feel the best, but we have games to play," McCollum said. "We have things to accomplish as a team. The ball will go in, and we'll win some games. Everything will be great, but this is just a tough part of the season.”
Meanwhile, the Rockets are coming off some of their better performances over the last few games, as they try to continue to build on the young foundation they’re putting together. The Rockets had 31 assists in a 134-127 win at Orlando on Nov. 7, then had 29 in a 116-109 loss in Toronto two nights later. Jalen Green finished with a team-high 21 points, and Alperen Sengun continued his fun start to the year with 17 points and 8 rebounds. Seven players scored in double figures for Houston, but the Rockets just couldn’t figure out Fred VanVleet (32 points) and O.G. Anunoby (27 points, 10 rebounds).
"We have a good group of unselfish guys," Houston coach Stephen Silas said. "I continue to preach ball movement. We want to be a hard-playing team that plays together on both ends of the floor. We were that (in Toronto). We just came up short."
Prediction
This is not going to be a fun process for the Rockets. They’re going to find out how hard it is to win over the next year or two with this young talent. I am, however, nearing taking the Rockets with the points if they can keep this momentum up, but ultimately, I think the Pelicans will get enough from their big players and pull away with a much-needed comfortable win. Pelicans by 14
Betting trends
Rockets are 19-40 ATS the last three years after a non-conference game.
Rockets are 16-40 ATS after losing 2 of 3 the last three years.
Rockets are 56-81 ATS as an underdog the last three years.
Pelicans are 41-44 ATS at home the last three years.
Pelicans are 9-3 ATS the last three years after failing to cover in 6 or 7 of their last 8.
Pelicans are 25-16 ATS off a home loss the last three years.
Projected starting lineup
Rockets:
PG: Kevin Porter Jr.
SG: Jalen Green
SF: Eric Gordon
PF: Jabari Smith Jr.
C: Alperen Sengun
Pelicans:
PG: CJ McCollum
SG: Brandon Ingram
SF: Herb Jones
PF: Zion Williamson
C: Jonas Valanciunas
Key injuries
Rockets: Jae'Sean Tate (ankle, out)
Pelicans: None
Statistical leaders
Rockets:
Points: Jalen Green -- 20.8
Rebounds: Alperen Sengun -- 9.7
Assists: Kevin Porter Jr. -- 6.1
Pelicans:
Points: Zion Williamson -- 23.3
Rebounds: Jonas Valanciunas -- 10.6
Assists: CJ McCollum -- 6.3
Don't miss our champion handicappers' free picks and expert basketball picks today. And if you enjoyed this Houston Rockets - New Orleans Pelicans prediction, be sure to drop by every day for our daily NBA projections and previews.
Chuck Sommers
About the Author:
Chuck Sommers has camped outside of sportsbooks since he can remember, learning the tricks and nuances of the trade. He still has nightmares of betting $5,000 on the Raiders in the Tuck Rule game but has since turned that to 25 years of veteran handicapping greatness. You can find him mostly in the shadows at the Red Rock or Aliante casinos wondering if the over is cashing on any given Sunday.
