Pelicans vs. Rockets prediction and odds for Friday, March 17

The Houston Rockets are the worst team in the Western Conference at 17-52 and yet they’re hot at the moment. Well, as hot as a 17 win team can possibly be at this point in the year.

Houston has won two in a row, first over the Celtics, then over the Lakers on Wednesday, 114-110. Now, they’ll get the New Orleans Pelicans at home in Houston with a chance to extend this unlikely winning streak.

The Western Conference is crowded and there aren’t many teams out of the playoff picture, but if the New Orleans Pelicans don’t turn it around soon then they will be. At 33-36 New Orleans is in 12th and still waiting on Zion Williamson’s return from injury.

Let’s get into the odds for Pelicans and Rockets in Houston tonight.

Pelicans vs. Rockets odds, spread and total

Pelicans vs. Rockets prediction and pick

The Pelicans have one of the deeper rosters in the NBA, but without their centerpiece they’ve fallen apart. Brandon Ingram and CJ McCollum just aren’t enough to carry a team offensively despite the young talent that is assembled around them. In terms of offensive rating this season, the Pelicans are 21st, 113.1, but they are 14th in net rating because they’re strong at the other end of the floor.

The Pelicans also have the same problem that is plaguing all of the Western Conference, they can’t win on the road. They’re 11-23 away from New Orleans and in their last six road games they’re 1-5 against the spread.

Meanwhile, the Houston Rockets are playing good basketball. They were without Jalen Green and Kevin Porter Jr. for stretches recently, but now they’re both back and they’ve won two straight. The Rockets have the No. 1 rebound percentage in the NBA and that’s a big reason they beat the Lakers. They outrebounded LA, 51-36. I don’t see much reason to trust New Orleans as a favorite on the road, so give me Houston, but I do think I’ll need the 5.5.

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change