Rockets vs. Pelicans Prediction, Odds, Picks - Dec. 18

The Houston Rockets (16-7) travel to face the New Orleans Pelicans (5-22) after losing three road games in a row. The Rockets match up against the Pelicans in a game that Houston is currently a solid favorite by 9.5 points. The point total for the game is 234.5.

Here's everything you need to know about the Rockets-Pelicans game, from the point spread, moneyline, total Over/Under and expert picks, as well as TV channel and streaming information.

Rockets vs. Pelicans Game Information, TV Channel & Odds

• When: Thursday, December 18, 2025 at 8 p.m. ET
• Where: Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana
• TV: SCHN, Gulf Coast Sports, WVUE, and Pelicans+
• Live Boxscore: FOX Sports

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Rockets vs. Pelicans Prediction

ATS Pick: Rockets (- 9.5)
O/U Pick: Over (234.5)
Score Prediction: Rockets 124 - Pelicans 111

Rockets vs. Pelicans Betting Insights

• The Rockets have played eight games with more than 234.5 points scored, their current matchup's total, this year.
• The Pelicans games have gone over 234.5 total points scored in 15 of 27 total matchups this season.
• The two teams average a combined 0.5 more points per game, 235, than this matchup's over/under of 234.5 points.
• Opponents of these two teams have averaged a combined 234 points per game, 0.5 fewer than the point total for this matchup.
• Houston has won 15, or 71.4%, of the 21 contests in which it was the favorite this year.
• New Orleans has been an underdog in 26 games this season and has come away with the win four times (15.4%) in those contests.
• Houston holds a 4-0 record in the last four head-to-head matchups against New Orleans.
• The Rockets also have a 4-0 record against the spread when facing the Pelicans.
• The Rockets have been the favorites in each of their past three games, and came up short against the spread in all three.
• In their past three contests the Pelicans have covered the point spread, and they were the favorite in zero of them.

Rockets Recent Trends

• The Rockets have gone 6-4 over their last 10 contests, with a 5-5 record against the spread during that span.
• Houston's average total over the last 10 games is 6.3 points fewer than the 234.5 over/under given for this matchup.
• The Rockets have 14 wins against the spread in 23 games this season.
• This season, Houston has an against the spread record of 5-2 in its seven games as a favorite of 9.5 points or more.
• Rockets games this year have gone over the total in 14 out of 27 opportunities (51.9%).
• The Rockets record just two fewer points per game (120.8) than the Pelicans give up (122.8).
• When Houston scores more than 122.8 points, it is 8-2 against the spread and 7-3 overall.
• This season, the Rockets have a 48.7% shooting percentage from the field, which is 0.6% lower than the 49.3% of shots the Pelicans' opponents have knocked down.
• The Rockets have done a better job covering the spread on the road (9-4-0) than they have in home games (5-5-0).
• Houston has hit the over on the over/under in five of 10 home games (50%). It has fared better in away games, going over the total in nine of 13 matchups (69.2%).
• The Rockets have won a higher percentage of their games as a moneyline favorite when playing at home, going 8-2 (.800). On the road as a moneyline favorite, they have a record of 7-4 (.636).

Rockets Recent Stats

Rockets Leaders

• Alperen Sengun posts 23.5 points, 9.4 rebounds and 7.1 assists per contest, shooting 50% from the floor and 35.1% from beyond the arc with 1 made 3-pointers per game.
• Amen Thompson averages 17.3 points, 7.3 rebounds and 5.3 assists per contest, shooting 48% from the floor.
• Kevin Durant averages 24.8 points, 4.6 rebounds and 4 assists per contest, shooting 50.1% from the field and 40.4% from downtown with 1.8 made treys per contest.
• Jabari Smith Jr. averages 15.4 points, 6.7 boards and 2 assists per contest, shooting 45.8% from the field and 37.1% from downtown with 2.1 made 3-pointers per game.
• Reed Sheppard averages 12.9 points, 3.1 assists and 3.1 rebounds.

Rockets Player Props

Pelicans Recent Trends

• The Pelicans have gone 3-7 in their past 10 contests, with an 8-2 record against the spread during that span.
• New Orleans and its opponents have combined to score an average of 235.2 combined points over its last 10 games, 0.7 more than the 234.5 over/under in this matchup.
• Against the spread, the Pelicans are 17-10-0 this season.
• New Orleans has an against the spread record of 8-5 in its 13 games when underdogs by 9.5 points or more this year.
• The Pelicans have gone over the point total 59.3% of the time this season (16 of 27 games with a set point total).
• The Pelicans put up just three more points per game (114.2) than the Rockets allow their opponents to score (111.2).
• New Orleans is 14-2 against the spread and 4-12 overall when it scores more than 111.2 points.
• The Pelicans' 46.1% shooting percentage from the field this season is 0.1 percentage points higher than the Rockets have allowed to their opponents (46%).
• The Pelicans' winning percentage against the spread at home is .667 (10-5-0). On the road, it is .583 (7-5-0).
• New Orleans' games have finished above the over/under 73.3% of the time at home (11 of 15), and 41.7% of the time on the road (five of 12).

Pelicans Recent Stats

Pelicans Leaders

• Trey Murphy III puts up 21.1 points, 6.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game for the Pelicans.
• Derik Queen is averaging 12.7 points, 6.4 rebounds and 4 assists per game. He's making 50.4% of his shots from the floor.
• Jeremiah Fears gets the Pelicans 15.7 points, 3.4 rebounds and 3.1 assists per contest while posting 1.4 steals and 0.1 blocked shots.
• The Pelicans are getting 14.2 points, 6 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game from Saddiq Bey this season.
• Jose Alvarado is putting up 8.7 points, 2.9 rebounds and 3.2 assists per contest. He is making 43.7% of his shots from the field and 37.5% from beyond the arc, with 1.7 treys per game.

Pelicans Player Props

FOX Sports created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

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