On December 26, 2024, the Houston Rockets are set to clash with the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center, continuing their three-game road trip. The Rockets, holding second place in the Western Conference with a 20-9 record, have been on fire lately, winning their last three games against strong opponents. Their latest victory came just days prior when they decisively defeated the Pelicans 133-113 at the Toyota Center.
The current matchup appears to be heavily tilted toward the Rockets as they gear up against the injury-riddled Pelicans, who find themselves languishing at the bottom of the conference standings with just 5 wins against 25 losses. This dismal record has largely been attributed to their mounting injury woes, including the absence of key players such as Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram, both of whom will not compete this evening.
Despite playing at home, New Orleans has struggled to find consistency and is coming off seven consecutive losses, leaving fans anxious about the team’s prospects against the rampaging Rockets. "Our recent performances show we need to step up as individual players and as a team if we're going to turn this season around," said Pelicans guard Dejounte Murray.
The Rockets, on the other hand, are riding high with confidence. Led by standout performances from Alperen Sengun and Jalen Green, the team has surged through its recent fixtures, showcasing dynamic offense and solid defense. Green, who excelled against the Pelicans last meeting, is noted for thriving against opponents without rim protection, which the Pelicans currently lack. The prediction for this game is favorable for Houston, with odds of -7.5 and expectations for high scoring.
BetMGM lists the money line at Rockets -350 and Pelicans +260, with the over/under set at 221.5 points. Both the point spread and total points reflect the anticipated dominance of the Rockets, who have consistently put up substantial point totals. Experts suggest the best bet may be on the total points to be over 220.5 based on recent game trends. Games where Green is heavily involved often lead to faster play and higher scores.
Houston's injury report lists versatile defender Dillon Brooks as out due to right ankle soreness, but their bench remains deep, which is shown through solid contributions from other players. Conversely, the Pelicans' injury issues affect their depth significantly; alongside Williamson and Brandon, Jose Alvarado and Karlo Matkovic are also sidelined, with some other players uncertain for the game due to health concerns.
"We have been facing challenges with injuries all season and it's tough to find our rhythm as players come and go," acknowledged Pelicans coach Willie Green during the pre-game press conference. "It's important for the remaining players to pull together and give their all against tough teams like Houston."
Despite the Pelicans’ struggles, they showed flashes of their potential during their close battle against the Denver Nuggets recently, scoring their highest point total of the season, highlighting their offensive capabilities. Nonetheless, the Rockets' recent performances suggest they’ll be the team to beat as the Pelicans hope to fight through their setbacks. This contest could be pivotal for the Pelicans if they can muster the resilience needed to turn their season around against tough competition within their division.
Date: December 26, 2024
Time: 8 PM ET
Location: Smoothie King Center, New Orleans, LA
