The New Orleans Pelicans will be at the Toyota Center to face a divisional foe in the Houston Rockets. Action starts at 8:00 pm ET on Wednesday, Mar. 2 and can be seen on RSW and FSN.
The Rockets are expecting a different result after their 128-121 loss to the Bucks on Monday. Despite the loss, Trevor Ariza earned his first double-double this season with 20 points and 11 assists. The Pelicans, meanwhile, are feeling some disappointment after their close 112-110 loss against the Timberwolves on Saturday. Ryan Anderson had a solid game, registering his sixth double-double of the season with 31 points and 14 rebounds.
Over the last five games, Ariza has taken his game to another level for the Rockets, averaging 15.4 points, 5.0 rebounds, 5.8 assists, 3.4 steals, and 3.0 three-pointers. On the other side, the Pelicans have quite a few players that have upped their production in that same span. The best out of the bunch has been Anthony Davis, who averaged 31.0 points, 11.2 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.4 steals, 1.6 blocks, and 0.8 three-pointers. While Jrue Holiday (21.2 PTS, 3.4 REB, 9.0 AST, 1.4 STL, and 0.8 3PM) and Anderson (21.0 PTS, 6.2 REB, 0.6 AST, 1.0 STL, and 2.2 3PM) have also been superb.
Ball control could weigh heavily in this showdown. New Orleans commits the third-fewest errors in the league (turnover percentage of 12.8%), while Houston’s gambling defense forces the fourth-most (opponents’ turnover percentage of 15.8%).
The Rockets have won two out of three against the Pelicans this season, including a close 112-111 victory in their last matchup. James Harden recorded a double-double with 35 points and 11 rebounds.
The Rockets enter the game with records of 29-31 Straight Up (SU) and 25-34-1 Against The Spread (ATS). They have a record of 4-8 SU and 5-7 ATS when playing their division. The Rockets have one of the most prolific offenses in the entire league, averaging 105.7 points per game. Houston is excellent from the perimeter with 657 three-pointers made (10.0 per game), the second-most in the league. Houston is one of the league’s top scoring teams off turnovers with an average of 18.7 points per game.
In the other locker room, the Pelicans have 23-35 SU and 24-34 ATS records. New Orleans has records of 6-7 SU and ATS against the Southwest.
Houston beat New Orleans in their most recent meeting this season, moving its SU record against the Pelicans to 6-4 in their last 10 head-to-head meetings. With a 6-4 record, the Pelicans have the advantage ATS.
Predictions: SU Winner – Hou
Notes
Houston scores an average of 105.7 points per game (ranked fifth). New Orleans ranks 25th in points allowed per game with 105.7.
On average, Houston puts up 104.2 points per home game (ranked 12th). New Orleans ranks 22nd in points allowed per road game with 105.2.
The New Orleans Pelicans lost their last game by a two-point margin. In games decided by a margin of three points or less, the Houston Rockets are 4-4. New Orleans is 4-5 in close games this season.
When giving up fewer than 100 points, New Orleans has a 9-8 record. When Houston scores fewer than 100, they are an underachieving 2-14.
The New Orleans Pelicans have a losing 14-27 record in games where they have allowed at least 100 points. The Houston Rockets are 27-17 when they hit the century mark.
The Rockets have a defensive rating of 107.3 (ranked 27th), while the Pelicans rank 11th for their offensive rating of 104.1.
The Houston Rockets average a field goal percentage of 44.5% this season. The New Orleans Pelicans have a subpar record of 14-23 when opponents have a FG% of 44.5% or greater.
On average, Houston attempts 31.0 three pointers and New Orleans attempts 24.0 per game. In games where the teams have 25 or more three point attempts, the Rockets have a 24-27 record while the Pelicans have a losing 10-16 record.
The Houston Rockets rank 26th with an assist to turnover ratio of 1.39. The New Orleans Pelicans have a higher A/TO (1.72), ranking 10th.
Houston is ranked seventh in offensive rebounding. New Orleans ranks 19th in defensive rebounds.
The Houston Rockets average .0 steals per game (ranked first). The New Orleans Pelicans have a poor record of 23-35 when they allow at least steals.
