Betting tips from AI for New Orleans Pelicans vs Houston Rockets, 19 December 2025.

This is a value-first call: the market has Houston installed as a heavy favorite at 1.20, but New Orleans trading at 4.60 looks underpriced given the context.
FOX Sports and WinComparator rightly praise Houston’s form, yet the Pelicans’ home profile is extreme — 134 PPG over their last 10 home games and a startling string of 13 straight home wins over Houston by 17+. New Orleans has also covered in three straight underdog spots and Jose Alvarado’s late-game toughness makes them harder to dismiss.
For a $1 bet seeking upside, I prefer New Orleans as the value play: the odds understate their true chance at Smoothie King.

This NBA clash pits a struggling New Orleans Pelicans side against the dominant Houston Rockets. Bookmakers have installed Houston as heavy favorites at 1.20, a sentiment echoed by FOX Sports analysts predicting a Rockets rout and WinComparator experts giving them a 71% chance to win. Houston's 16-7 record and flawless 4-0 run in recent head-to-heads against New Orleans paint a clear picture of their superiority.

However, the Pelicans, despite their dismal 5-22 slump, are not to be underestimated at home. The Smoothie King Center has been a fortress, with the team averaging a scorching 134 points in their last 10 home games. Historically, they've crushed Houston by 17+ in 13 straight home battles, and have quietly covered in three straight underdog spots, showing resilience.

Despite New Orleans' impressive home statistics against Houston, the current form and overwhelming expert consensus point towards a Rockets victory. Their recent head-to-head dominance and the Pelicans' overall slump suggest that even the home crowd might not be enough to turn the tide against a well-oiled Houston machine.

The Rockets enter this matchup as heavy 1.20 favorites, and for good reason. Houston has dominated New Orleans in recent head-to-heads, going 4-0 while the Pelicans continue their downward spiral with a dismal 5-22 record. The Rockets' solid 16-7 standing and 8-5 away record suggest they're comfortable on the road.

While the Pelicans' home scoring average of 134 points in their last 10 games at Smoothie King Center offers a glimmer of hope, Houston's overall momentum is impossible to ignore. The 10.5-point spread projected by analysts seems justified given the performance gap.

Despite New Orleans covering as underdogs in three straight games and Jose Alvarado providing some spark off the bench, Houston's superior talent and consistency should prevail. The 1.20 odds reflect the reality - this is Houston's game to lose, and smart money backs the Rockets to handle business against the league's second-worst team.

The Houston Rockets are rolling into New Orleans with serious momentum, boasting a 16-7 record and an unbeaten streak in their last four head-to-heads against the Pelicans, who are mired in a 5-22 slump. FOX Sports analysts are calling for a rout, predicting Houston to cover the 10.5-point spread in a 124-111 victory, and it's hard to argue when the Rockets have been dominating the league's second-worst squad.

That said, the Pelicans' home court at Smoothie King Center can't be ignored—they've been averaging a blistering 134 points over their last 10 home games and have crushed Houston by 17+ in 13 straight home battles. Jose Alvarado's gritty play has helped them cover in three straight underdog spots, adding some late-game fire.

But with Houston's 8-5 road record and the Pelicans fresh off a three-game skid, the Rockets' superior form should prevail. At 1.20 odds, Houston offers value for a straightforward win, making this a smart $1 bet to build the bankroll.

The Houston Rockets are heavy favorites at 1.20, riding a 16-7 record and a 4-0 head-to-head streak. Yet, the New Orleans Pelicans ignite at home, averaging 134 points in their last 10 games at Smoothie King Center and crushing Houston by 17+ in 13 straight home meetings.

New Orleans has covered in three straight underdog spots, with Jose Alvarado's feisty play keeping them competitive. While the Rockets boast an 8-5 away mark, the Pelicans' home firepower and the enticing 4.60 odds present a valuable upset opportunity.

The matchup between the New Orleans Pelicans and Houston Rockets presents an intriguing betting opportunity. On paper, the Rockets appear dominant with their 1.20 odds, reflecting a strong chance to win outright. Their recent 4-0 streak against the Pelicans and an impressive 16-7 record add weight to this perception. FOX Sports analysts predict a convincing 124-111 victory for Houston, emphasizing their ability to cover the 10.5-point spread.

However, context matters. The Pelicans have shown resilience at home, where they average 134 points in their last 10 games at Smoothie King Center. They’ve also crushed Houston by 17+ points in 13 straight home encounters—a trend too significant to ignore. Jose Alvarado’s leadership, contributing 8.7 points and 3.2 assists per game, has been pivotal in their recent underdog successes, including covering spreads in three consecutive games.

While WinComparator gives Houston a 71% edge, the Pelicans' home-court advantage and scoring firepower make them a live dog at 4.60. Betting on New Orleans offers substantial value, especially considering their historical dominance at home against this opponent. This is a classic case of public bias leaning toward the favorites while undervaluing the hosts’ potential to deliver an upset.