The Houston Rockets (37-25) and New Orleans Pelicans (17-45) will meet in the NBA tonight. Tipoff is set for 8:00 p.m. ET at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. The game will broadcast live on NBA League Pass.
The Rockets are 4.5-point favorites over the Pelicans on the spread (Rockets -4.5), with the over/under set at 230.5 total points. Houston is a -185 favorite to win outright, while New Orleans is +154 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Rockets vs. Pelicans predictions and NBA picks for Thursday, March 6.
Rockets vs. Pelicans Picks, Prediction
Over/Under
My Pelicans vs. Rockets best bet is on Jabari Smith Over 6.5 Rebounds, with the best line currently available at DraftKings. But as always, make sure to shop for the best line using our live NBA odds page.
Spread
I'm not betting either side of the spread in tonight's contest.
My Pick: Jabari Smith Over 6.5 Rebounds (-135)
Rockets vs. Pelicans Odds
| Rockets Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-4.5 -110 | 230.5 -110o / -110u | -185 |
| Pelicans Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+4.5 -110 | 230.5 -110o / -110u | +154 |
- Rockets vs. Pelicans spread: Rockets -4.5
- Rockets vs. Pelicans over/under: 230.5 total points
- Rockets vs. Pelicans moneyline: Rockets -185, Pelicans +154
- Rockets vs. Pelicans best bet:Jabari Smith Over 6.5 Rebounds
Rockets vs. Pelicans Preview
I've had this prop circled for a bit, but I wasn't sure how the playing time would shake out with everyone healthy.
On Tuesday against Indiana, the Rockets had everyone available except Fred VanVleet. Smith still played a whopping 37 minutes. Tari Eason's playing time came at the expense of Dillon Brooks, and the roles for Cam Whitmore and Jae'Sean Tate were basically wiped out.
The production has been there for Smith since he came back from a long-term injury. He's averaged 7.6 rebounds on 12.7 rebound chances across 7 games.
Alperen Sengun and Amen Thompson have also excelled on the glass in this stretch, but there have been plenty of boards to go around.
Even with Eason popping off for a 14-rebound game against the Pacers, the Smith/Sengun/Thompson trio still had 9+ apiece. Smith now has 7+ rebounds in all but one game since coming back.
New Orleans is a plus matchup. They're 27th in rebounding rate and rebounds allowed per game on the season. The Pelicans have allowed the 7th-most rebounds over the past 10 games.
The game has a tight spread and a decent total, so it should be a solid environment. Both teams are bottom-7 in field goal percentage, which should lead to a bevy of rebounding opportunities.
Best Bet: Jabari Smith Over 6.5 Rebounds (-135)
Rockets vs. Pelicans Parlay Picks
A sloppy team that doesn't pay much attention defense is always a decent Over candidate.
Meet the Pelicans, whose season has devolved into getting hands on the ball, with defense something that happens between possessions.
New Orleans doesn't always work on the stop-end, one reason The Lakers recorded their first Over in weeks two nights ago when running away from the Pelicans, 136-115.
If the purpose is for Zion Williamson (who scored 37 vs. the Lake Show) to pad his stats, mission accomplished.
The Rockets did something very similar in their previous meeting with New Orleans back on December 19, hitting almost 58% from the floor and sprinting to a 133-113 win at Toyota Center, led by Jalen Green's 34 points. Play Rockets-Pelicans Over.
Pick: Over 230.5 (-120)
Same Game Parlay Picks
- Jabari Smith Over 6.5 Rebounds
- Over 230.5
Parlay Payout: +202
Pelicans vs. Rockets Betting Trends
