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 heavy favorites by 10 points in the matchup, which starts at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday, December 18, 2025. The matchup has an over/under set at 233.5 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 are 14-9-0 against the spread this season.
• The Pelicans have played 27 games, with 17 wins against the spread.
• This season, Rockets games have hit the over 14 times out of 27 chances.
• Pelicans games this year have hit the over 59.3% of the time (16 out of 27 games with a set point total).
• Houston sports a worse record against the spread when playing at home (5-5-0) than it does in away games (9-4-0).
• At home, the Rockets go over the total 50% of the time (five of 10 games). They hit the over more often in away games, going over the total in 69.2% of games (nine of 13).
• New Orleans has been better against the spread at home (10-5-0) than away (7-5-0) this year.
• In terms of the over/under, Pelicans games have gone over 11 of 15 times at home (73.3%), and five of 12 on the road (41.7%).

Rockets Leaders

• Alperen Sengun is averaging 23.5 points, 9.4 boards and 7.1 assists. At the other end, he averages 1.5 steals and 1 block.
• Amen Thompson is averaging 17.3 points, 7.3 boards 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 rebounds and 4 assists.
• Jabari Smith Jr. is averaging 15.4 points, 2 assists and 6.7 rebounds.
• Reed Sheppard's numbers on the season are 12.9 points, 3.1 boards and 3.1 assists per game, shooting 46.3% from the floor and 43.7% from downtown, with an average of 2.6 made 3-pointers.

Pelicans Leaders

• Trey Murphy III's numbers on the season are 21.1 points, 6.5 boards and 3.5 assists per contest. He is also draining 48.9% of his shots from the field and 36% from 3-point range, with an average of 2.7 triples.
• Derik Queen's numbers on the season are 12.7 points, 6.4 boards and 4 assists per game. He is draining 50.4% of his shots from the field.
• The Pelicans receive 15.7 points per game from Jeremiah Fears, plus 3.4 boards and 3.1 assists.
• Saddiq Bey's numbers on the season are 14.2 points, 6 boards and 2.3 assists per contest. He is draining 44.6% of his shots from the floor and 34.1% from beyond the arc, with an average of 1.7 treys.
• 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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