The Houston Rockets and New Orleans Pelicans squared off at the Toyota Center in Houston on Friday, March 13, 2026, in a matchup that brought together two teams trending in different directions as the NBA season barrels toward its climax. The Rockets entered the contest with a strong 40–25 record, clinging to the No. 4 seed in the Western Conference, while the Pelicans, at 22–45, were looking to build on a recent surge that had seen them win seven of their last ten games. Tip-off was set for 8:00 p.m. Eastern, and fans across the country tuned in via Gulf Coast Sports Network, Space City Home Network, and NBA League Pass.
Houston arrived at this home game with a chip on its shoulder, having been routed in back-to-back outings by two Western Conference heavyweights. The Rockets were first overwhelmed by the San Antonio Spurs, falling 145–120, and then hammered by the Denver Nuggets, 129–93, just two nights prior to this clash. Denver, in particular, put on a shooting clinic, hitting 55% from the field and a scorching 53% from three-point range. Nikola Jokic, the Nuggets’ perennial MVP candidate, notched his 25th triple-double of the season in that game. Amen Thompson led Houston with 16 points, while Kevin Durant and Jabari Smith Jr. chipped in 11 each. Alperen Sengun, who had contributed 10 points before exiting, was ruled out for the Pelicans game due to back issues.
The injury bug didn’t stop there for the Rockets. Jae’Sean Tate (knee) and Fred VanVleet (knee) were also sidelined, and Steven Adams remained out for the season with an ankle injury. This left Houston’s rotation shorthanded, putting added pressure on veterans like Durant and emerging contributors such as Reed Sheppard. For the Pelicans, Bryce McGowens was unavailable due to a toe injury, but New Orleans had reasons for optimism. Their offense had found another gear, topping 130 points in two of their previous four games. Most recently, they dispatched the Toronto Raptors, 122–111, with Trey Murphy III pouring in 28 points, Dejounte Murray—returning strong from injury—adding 27, and Zion Williamson chipping in 19. The Pelicans shot an impressive 51% from the field and 48% from beyond the arc in that win.
Despite their struggles throughout the season, New Orleans entered the matchup on a two-game winning streak and had covered the spread in eight of their last ten contests. According to betting odds from BetMGM Sportsbook, the Rockets were 5.5- to 6.5-point favorites, with the moneyline set at Houston -230 and New Orleans +180. The over/under for total points hovered around 230.5, reflecting both teams’ recent pace and scoring trends. The season series between these squads was tied 1-1: the Rockets had defended home court with a 119–110 victory on January 18, while the Pelicans had snatched a dramatic 133–128 overtime win at home back in December.
For Houston, the big question was how they would respond without Sengun anchoring the paint and VanVleet orchestrating the offense. The Pelicans, meanwhile, were eager to capitalize on their up-tempo attack—ranked among the league’s top five in pace over the last ten games—and exploit Houston’s depleted frontcourt. Reed Sheppard, who had recently endured shooting woes (just 4-for-12 against Denver and 2-for-10 against Toronto), was pegged as a potential X-factor. Analysts highlighted his streaky scoring, noting, “Sheppard should get a normal allotment of minutes. I also think he should be able to find good looks against a weak Pelicans defense.” The consensus best bet for the night was Sheppard to score over 15.5 points, given his run of 17+ point performances in six of his last eight games prior to this mini-slump.
On the Pelicans’ side, the return of Dejounte Murray from injury had been a revelation. His impact was immediate, as evidenced by his 27-point effort against Toronto. Trey Murphy III’s hot hand from deep and Zion Williamson’s relentless interior play gave New Orleans a multi-pronged attack. The Pelicans’ defense, while not elite, had shown improvement—ranking 13th in defensive rating over their last ten contests. Yet, the Rockets’ defense was even stouter, sitting fifth in adjusted defensive rating (112.3) and among the league’s best in limiting opponents’ effective field-goal percentage (53.0%).
“Even though Houston is the better team, they haven’t looked like contenders recently, and they’ve gone 5-5 ATS over their last 10 outings,” noted one betting analyst. “Meanwhile, New Orleans has shown signs of life, recording an 8-2 record ATS in their last 10 games.” The Pelicans also boasted a league-best 14-7 record against the spread following a win, while the Rockets had struggled to cover at home, posting the second-worst ATS mark (12-18) in the NBA when playing in front of their fans. With both teams missing key players, the margin for error was slim, and the outcome far from certain.
Fans looking for drama didn’t have to look far. The matchup pitted Houston’s methodical, defense-first approach—second-slowest pace in the league—against New Orleans’ up-tempo, run-and-gun style. Would the Rockets’ veteran leadership and home-court advantage be enough to halt their slide, or would the Pelicans’ newfound confidence and offensive rhythm carry the day?
As the teams took the floor, the stakes were clear. Houston needed a win to steady itself after a pair of humbling losses and maintain its grip on a top-four seed in the West. New Orleans, with little to lose and momentum on its side, was eager to play spoiler and perhaps keep its faint postseason hopes alive. With the season series up for grabs, every possession carried weight.
Tip-off brought immediate energy, with both squads trading baskets and defensive stops. Trey Murphy III looked to stay hot from the perimeter, while Dejounte Murray orchestrated the Pelicans’ offense with poise. On the other side, Kevin Durant assumed a larger role in Sengun’s absence, and Reed Sheppard wasted little time hunting his shot, determined to shake off his recent slump. The Rockets’ defense, anchored by Jabari Smith Jr., sought to stifle Zion Williamson’s drives and force New Orleans into contested looks.
As the game unfolded, the crowd at Toyota Center roared with each swing in momentum. The Pelicans’ pace pushed Houston’s defense to the limit, but the Rockets’ experience and depth kept them in the fight. With so much on the line for both teams, neither side could afford to let up for a moment.
With the action still ongoing and the outcome hanging in the balance, fans can expect a hard-fought finish in Houston. Will the Rockets’ home-court advantage and defensive prowess be enough to fend off the surging Pelicans, or is another upset brewing in the Lone Star State? Stay tuned—this one’s far from over.