The New Orleans Pelicans took a big risk by adding DeMarcus Cousins to a frontcourt that already boasted Anthony Davis at last year’s trading deadline. If recent success is any indication, it seems to be a good pairing. The Pelicans have played well of late, winning six of seven as they push for a playoff spot in the Western Conference.
It will take a momentous effort to keep this hot streak alive next time out when they host the Houston Rockets. Even though Houston is on the road, it has been one of the best teams in the NBA this year and will be favored to grab the win. The Pelicans are in a muddled pack in the standings and any win is big down the stretch.
The Rockets will be favored in this game but the Pelicans are playing well enough to have a fighting chance. This will be one of the more intriguing regular season games of the week.
This war on the floor will go down Friday, January 26, 2018, at 8 p.m. ET at the Smoothie King Center. The game will be televised live on ESPN.
We'll have NBA odds at BookMaker.eu available for this and every game on the NBA Friday schedule.
Odds Analysis
The Rockets are 34-12 straight up and 22-23-1 against the spread. Houston has covered in 12 of 22 attempts on the road and will aim to continue that success. The Rockets are 20-20-1 against the spread as the favorite on the year.
The Pelicans are 26-21 straight up and 23-23-1 against the spread. They have gone 9-12-1 against the spread at home this season. New Orleans has covered in half of their 18 games as the underdog.
Player To Watch
Boogie Cousins -- The Pelicans’ power forward has really started to find his groove. Cousins is averaging 25.6 points, 12.9 rebounds, 5.2 assists, 1.6 steals and 1.5 blocks per game on the season. He had an unreal game recently in a win over the Chicago Bulls.
In that double overtime victory, Cousins poured in 44 points, collected 24 rebounds and added 10 assists for one of the more impressive triple-doubles you will ever see. Davis is also playing at an extremely high level, and while New Orleans doesn’t have a bunch of talent in the backcourt, the two dominant frontcourt players have made the team a tough one to beat of late.
This is a different animal and Houston is really tough to stop on the perimeter, but the Pelicans will aim to throw the ball down low and win in the paint in order to keep it close.
Key Stat
225.1. That’s the number of points these teams combine to score this season. They are among the league leaders for points scored and this one is expected to be a shootout.
The Rockets are led by James Harden, who is averaging 31.4 points per contest, while Eric Gordon, Chris Paul, Gerald Green, Clint Capela, Trevor Ariza and Ryan Anderson all average in double figures as well. Harden and Paul are the engines and main distributors, but it is hard for defenses to know who else is going to step up.
The Pelicans are built behind their star big men but Jrue Holiday is another key pieces. The Pelicans can’t afford to get into a long-range shooting showdown because the Rockets are more attuned to hitting from the outside.
Free NBA ATS Picks
The Rockets have played at a really high level all year long and would surprise no one by going to New Orleans and coming away with the victory. However, the Pelicans are on a hot streak and get this game at home.
Take New Orleans to come away with a much-needed upset to help its cause in the Western Conference playoff hunt.
NBA Odds: Pelicans 113, Rockets 112
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