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) visit the New Orleans Pelicans (5-22) after losing three straight road games. The Rockets are favored by 9.5 points in the contest, which begins at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday, December 18, 2025. The over/under for the matchup is 233.5.

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 are 14-9-0 against the spread this season.
• In the Pelicans' 27 games this season, they have 17 wins against the spread.
• Rockets games have finished with a final combined score above the over/under 14 times out of 27 chances this season.
• Pelicans games this season have hit the over on 16 of 27 set point totals (59.3%).
• In home games, Houston sports a worse record against the spread (5-5-0) compared to its ATS record in away games (9-4-0).
• The Rockets have hit the over on the total in a lower percentage of games at home (50%) than road games (69.2%).
• Against the spread, New Orleans has performed better at home (10-5-0) than away (7-5-0).
• Looking at the over/under, Pelicans games have finished over more frequently at home (11 of 15, 73.3%) than on the road (five of 12, 41.7%).

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 is averaging 17.3 points, 7.3 rebounds and 5.3 assists. At the other end, he averages 1.3 steals and 0.5 blocked shots.
• Kevin Durant averages 24.8 points, 4.6 boards and 4 assists, shooting 50.1% from the field and 40.4% from beyond the arc, with 1.8 made 3-pointers per game.
• Jabari Smith Jr.'s numbers on the season are 15.4 points, 6.7 rebounds and 2 assists per contest, shooting 45.8% from the field and 37.1% from downtown, with an average of 2.1 made treys.
• Reed Sheppard averages 12.9 points, 3.1 rebounds and 3.1 assists, shooting 46.3% from the field and 43.7% from downtown, with 2.6 made treys per contest.

Pelicans Leaders

• Trey Murphy III averages 21.1 points for the Pelicans, plus 6.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists.
• The Pelicans are getting 12.7 points, 6.4 boards and 4 assists per game from Derik Queen.
• Jeremiah Fears averages 15.7 points, 3.4 boards and 3.1 assists. He is sinking 44.8% of his shots from the field and 36.4% from beyond the arc, with 1.2 triples per game.
• Saddiq Bey averages 14.2 points, 6 rebounds and 2.3 assists. He is making 44.6% of his shots from the field and 34.1% from beyond the arc, with 1.7 treys per game.
• Per game, Jose Alvarado gives the Pelicans 8.7 points, 2.9 boards and 3.2 assists, plus 1 steal and 0.2 blocks.

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