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

Rockets vs. Pelicans Game Info

• Date: Sunday, January 18, 2026
• Time: 7 p.m. ET
• Venue: Toyota Center -- Houston, Texas
• Coverage: SCHN, Gulf Coast Sports, and Pelicans+

The Houston Rockets (24-15) are at home in Southwest Division action against the New Orleans Pelicans (10-34) on Sunday, January 18, 2026 at 7 p.m. ET. The Rockets are double-digit favorites by 13.5 points in the game, the second matchup between the squads this season. The point total is 231.5 in the matchup.

Rockets vs. Pelicans Odds & Spread

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

Rockets vs. Pelicans Prediction & Pick

All NBA win probability predictions and picks are according to numberFire.
Prediction: Rockets win (86.5%)

Rockets vs. Pelicans Betting Trends

• The Rockets have registered a 19-20-0 record against the spread this season.
• The Pelicans have played 44 games, with 23 wins against the spread.
• This season, 19 of the Rockets' games have gone over the point total out of 44 chances.
• The Pelicans have hit the over 54.5% of the time this season (24 of 44 games with a set point total).
• In home games, Houston owns a worse record against the spread (7-9-0) compared to its ATS record in away games (12-11-0).
• The Rockets have hit the over on the over/under in a lower percentage of games at home (43.8%) than road games (52.2%).
• New Orleans' winning percentage against the spread at home is .600 (15-10-0). On the road, it is .421 (8-11-0).
• Pelicans games have finished above the over/under 60% of the time at home (15 of 25), and 47.4% of the time on the road (nine of 19).

Rockets Leaders

• Kevin Durant is averaging 26.3 points, 4.5 assists and 5.4 boards.
• Amen Thompson's numbers on the season are 18.5 points, 7.7 boards and 5.1 assists per game, shooting 50.9% from the field.
• Alperen Sengun averages 21.6 points, 9.2 boards and 6.4 assists, shooting 50.8% from the floor.
• Jabari Smith Jr. averages 15 points, 6.9 boards and 1.8 assists, shooting 42.5% from the floor and 34.5% from beyond the arc, with 2.1 made treys per contest.
• Reed Sheppard averages 12.8 points, 2.6 rebounds and 3.2 assists, shooting 44.3% from the floor and 40.9% from beyond the arc, with 2.5 made treys per game.

Pelicans Leaders

• Trey Murphy III's numbers on the season are 22.2 points, 6.2 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game. He is also draining 49.8% of his shots from the floor and 38.8% from 3-point range, with an average of 3.2 triples (10th in NBA).
• Per game, Derik Queen provides the Pelicans 12.6 points, 7.6 boards and 4.3 assists. He also averages 1 steal and 1 block.
• Jeremiah Fears averages 14.2 points, 3.7 boards and 3.2 assists. He is sinking 43.6% of his shots from the field and 32.9% from beyond the arc, with 1.1 treys per contest.
• The Pelicans are getting 22.6 points, 5.8 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game from Zion Williamson.
• The Pelicans get 15.2 points per game from Saddiq Bey, plus 5.7 boards and 2.2 assists.

For more NBA betting insights, check out FanDuel Research's NBA home page.

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