Houston Rockets at New Orleans Pelicans odds, picks and predictions

Corey Scott | Staff Writer

The Houston Rockets (24-30) and New Orleans Pelicans (33-22) return to action after the All-Star break on Thursday. Tip-off from Smoothie King Center is set for 8 p.m. ET. Let's analyze BetMGM Sportsbook's lines around the Rockets vs. Pelicans odds and make our expert NBA picks and predictions.

Season series: Rockets lead 2-1

The Rockets lost 5 of their last 6 games before the All-Star break. Their most recent defeat was as 2-point favorites in a 121-113 loss at the Memphis Grizzlies Feb. 14 as the Over (217.5) hit.

The Pelicans are on a 3-game winning streak and are coming off a 133-126 victory over the Washington Wizards Feb. 14 as the Over (234.5) cashed; they failed to cover as 14.5-point home favorites.

The Rockets are 2-1 straight up (SU) and 1-1-1 against the spread (ATS) vs. the Pelicans this season, and the Under has hit in all 3 meetings. The most recent meeting was a New Orleans cover as a 1-point underdog in a 110-99 win at Houston Jan. 31.

Rockets at Pelicans odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access Paste BN Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 10:53 a.m. ET.

Moneyline (ML): Rockets +230 (bet $100 to win $230) | Pelicans -275 (bet $275 to win $100)
Against the spread (ATS): Rockets +7.5 (-115) | Pelicans -7.5 (-105)
Over/Under (O/U): 229.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

Rockets at Pelicans key injuries

Rockets

F Tari Eason (leg) out

Pelicans

G Brandon Ingram (illness) questionable

For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.

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Rockets at Pelicans picks and predictions

Prediction

Pelicans 112, Rockets 108

Moneyline

The Pelicans (-275) should be able to split the season series, but the price on the ML is a little high.

PASS. Bet the spread and/or total instead.

Against the spread

For a young team like the Rockets, coming out of the All-Star break should be a good opportunity to reset after a bad stretch. Houston is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games, but 5-3 ATS in its last 8 as an underdog.

The Pelicans have failed to cover by an average margin of 2.5 points during this 3-game winning streak. Their margin of victory in these 3 wins has been just 8.3 points per game, and that's against 3 of the worst teams in the league in the Portland Trail Blazers, Grizzlies and Wizards.

The Pelicans should win again -- just not by enough to cover.

BET ROCKETS +7.5 (-115).

Over/Under

The Under has hit in 7 straight meetings between these teams, and while that could be due to small sample size, it's not a trend that I'm looking to fade. Houston and New Orleans are 5th and 7th, respectively, in defensive efficiency and should keep this divisional matchup low-scoring once again.

BET UNDER 229.5 (-110).

For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.

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