Pelicans vs. Rockets Prediction, Odds, Picks, Best Bets for Dec. 18

Pelicans vs. Rockets Game Info

• Date: Thursday, December 18, 2025
• Time: 8 p.m. ET
• Venue: Smoothie King Center -- New Orleans, Louisiana
• Coverage: SCHN, Gulf Coast Sports, WVUE, and Pelicans+

The Houston Rockets (16-7) are heavy favorites (-10.5) as they attempt to stop a three-game road losing streak when they take on the New Orleans Pelicans (5-22) on Thursday, December 18, 2025 at Smoothie King Center. The matchup airs at 8 p.m. ET on SCHN, Gulf Coast Sports, WVUE, and Pelicans+. The matchup has an over/under of 235.5 points.

Pelicans vs. Rockets Odds & Spread

All NBA betting lines, odds and prop bets are from FanDuel Sportsbook.

Pelicans vs. Rockets Prediction & Pick

All NBA win probability predictions and picks are according to numberFire.
Prediction: Rockets win (79.5%)

Pelicans vs. Rockets Betting Trends

• The Rockets have registered a 14-9-0 record against the spread this season.
• Against the spread, the Pelicans are 17-10-0 this season.
• Rockets games have gone over the total 14 times out of 27 chances this season.
• Pelicans games this season have gone over the total in 16 of 27 opportunities (59.3%).
• Houston has done a better job covering the spread in away games (9-4-0) than it has at home (5-5-0).
• When it comes to over/unders, the Rockets hit the over less often when playing at home, as they've eclipsed the total five times in 10 opportunities this season (50%). On the road, they have hit the over nine times in 13 opportunities (69.2%).
• This season, New Orleans is 10-5-0 at home against the spread (.667 winning percentage). On the road, it is 7-5-0 ATS (.583).
• Pelicans games have finished above the over/under more frequently at home (11 times out of 15) than on the road (five of 12) this season.

Rockets Leaders

• Alperen Sengun is averaging 23.5 points, 9.4 boards and 7.1 assists. Defensively, he averages 1.5 steals and 1 block.
• Amen Thompson averages 17.3 points, 7.3 boards and 5.3 assists, shooting 48% from the floor.
• Kevin Durant is averaging 24.8 points, 4 assists and 4.6 rebounds.
• Jabari Smith Jr. is averaging 15.4 points, 6.7 boards and 2 assists.
• Reed Sheppard averages 12.9 points, 3.1 boards and 3.1 assists, shooting 46.3% from the field and 43.7% from downtown, with 2.6 made treys per game.

Pelicans Leaders

• Per game, Trey Murphy III gives the Pelicans 21.1 points, 6.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists. He also averages 1.7 steals (fifth in league) and 0.2 blocks.
• Derik Queen's numbers on the season are 12.7 points, 6.4 rebounds and 4 assists per game. He is making 50.4% of his shots from the floor.
• Jeremiah Fears averages 15.7 points, 3.4 boards and 3.1 assists. He is draining 44.8% of his shots from the field and 36.4% from 3-point range, with 1.2 treys per game.
• Saddiq Bey's numbers on the season are 14.2 points, 6 boards and 2.3 assists per game. He is making 44.6% of his shots from the field and 34.1% from 3-point range, with an average of 1.7 treys.
• Jose Alvarado's numbers on the season are 8.7 points, 2.9 rebounds and 3.2 assists per contest. He is sinking 43.7% of his shots from the field and 37.5% from 3-point range, with an average of 1.7 treys.

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