Free Pick: Pelicans vs. Rockets Odds
Looking for New Orleans Pelicans vs. Houston Rockets Free NBA predictions? NBA betting sees the Pelicans taking on the Rockets on 3/13 at the Toyota Center in Houston. Cappers Picks provides complimentary expert handicapping picks on all NBA basketball matchups all season long so stay tuned for more FREE daily NBA predictions like this Pelicans Rockets free pick.
2026 NBA Handicapping – New Orleans Pelicans vs. Houston Rockets
(22-45) New Orleans Pelicans vs. Houston Rockets (40-25)
Date: Mar 13, 2026
Time: 8:00 PM ET
Venue: Toyota Center, Houston, TX
NBA Moneyline Odds: Pelicans +230 | Rockets -268 (Bet Now!)
Today’s NBA Point Spread Betting Odds: Pelicans +7 | Rockets -7
NBA Basketball Gambling Total: O/U: 228.5
Here’s why I’m backing the underdog Pelicans as outlined in my Pelicans Rockets free pick & gambling prediction for this matchup.
- Live Betting Odds for today’s Pelicans vs. Rockets game!
- Want more basketball predictions like this Pelicans Rockets play? Check out our free NBA AI Picks for today!
- View our Updated Sportsbook Bonuses for today!
Pelicans vs. Rockets Gameday
Friday, the NBA serves up a full eight-game slate, including the New Orleans Pelicans versus the Houston Rockets.
Both teams last played on Wednesday. New Orleans spanked the Raptors (122-111) so soundly that fans and pundits alike have written off Toronto and called them out for having no grit or heart! Four Pelicans scored in double figures. Trey Murphy III led the way with 28 points and seven rebounds, plus three steals.
Houston, in contrast, got routed 93-129 by the Denver Nuggets. Five Rockets scored in double digits, who were without Kevin Durant. Amen Thompson led the way with 16 points, five rebounds, and four assists.
We want to hear from you below! Comments are welcome! Give us your picks for this New Orleans Pelicans vs. Houston Rockets NBA matchup.
Expert NBA Hoops Picks
Looking for an edge on tonight’s NBA board? Check out the featured premium plays from CappersPicks handicappers, with point spreads, moneylines, totals, and more from around the league.
New Orleans Pelicans vs. Houston Rockets Odds & Last 5
Last year, the Rockets dominated the regular season, sweeping the Pelicans 4-0. This season, the teams have met twice, with each side winning once.
With their recent success, the Pelicans have moved out of the basement into the 13th seed. They hold a 1.5 game advantage over the Jazz and trail the Mavericks by a half game. After this match, the Pels will return home for a four-game stand.
Houston sits in the fourth seed in the West with a 40-25 record. They trail the Lakers by a half game, have essentially the same record as the Nuggets, and only lead the Wolves by a half game.
Houston is favored by seven points with an over/under of 228.5 points.
Pelicans Stats
New Orleans ranks 22nd (113.2) on offense and 26th on defense (117.6). Additionally, the Pelicans hold the 22nd-ranked net rating (-4.3) and also run the 11th-quickest pace (101.32).
The West’s 13-place Pelicans average 115.6 points per game while their opponents average 120.0 points. In terms of dimes and boards, New Orleans averages 25.1 (22nd) and 44.0 (13th), respectively.
New Orleans’ team leaders* are Trey Murphy for scoring (22.1), Derik Queen for assists (3.9) and rebounds (7.0), Herb Jones for steals (1.7), and Yves Missi for blocks (1.4).
As for the perimeter, there are three Pelicans who shoot the league average or better, while the team averages 34.5% from deep.
*minimum 20 games
**Leads the NBA
YOU CAN CLICK HERE TO CHECK OUT OUR TOP NBA CAPPERS! (All Under 1 Roof)
Rockets Stats
With 65 games in the pocket, Houston ranks tenth (116.5) on offense and eighth on defense (112.2). Additionally, the Rockets hold the sixth-ranked net rating (+4.3) and run the 29th slowest pace (96.80).
The West’s fourth seed averages 114.2 points per game, while its opponents average 110.0 points. In terms of dimes and boards, Houston averages 24.7 (tied for 26th) and 48.2 (1st), respectively (of note, this latter number continues to decline, coinciding with the absence of Steven Adams).
Team leaders are Kevin Durant for scoring (25.9), while Alperen Sengun leads for assists (6.1), rebounds (8.9), blocks (1.1), and steals (1.2).
Perimeter shooting is an advantage for Houston, which shoots the deep ball at an average of 36.4%. Six different players shoot the deep ball above the league average.
*minimum 20 games
**Leads the NBA
New Orleans Pelicans vs. Houston Rockets bottom line:
This contest isn’t a gimme as the Pelicans are finally healthy and playing better. Since the All-Star break, the Pelicans are 7-4 and have moved up in the standings due to those efforts.
They are too far behind the play-in seeds to be a factor, but they’ll happily play spoiler to the teams fighting for position.
New Orleans Pelicans vs. Houston Rockets Basketball Betting Trends
- New Orleans is 8-2 ATS in its last 10 games.
- The total has gone OVER in 8 of New Orleans’ last 12 games.
- New Orleans is 7-3 SU in its last 10 games.
- Also, Houston is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games.
- The total has gone OVER in 5 of Houston’s last 7 games against New Orleans.
- Additionally, Houston is 3-9 ATS in its last 12 games played in March.
Pelicans Rockets Free Pick: Pelicans +7
Here is my Pelicans Rockets free pick.
Houston plays much better at home but has slipped a bit lately, particularly in end-of-game scenarios.
Conversely, the Pelicans are playing carefree and enjoying their role of spoilers. Perhaps they are looking to summon an impressive stretch run to build momentum for the summer workouts and prep for next season.
Teams have started to key in on Reed Sheppard and Alperen Sengun on the defensive end which may speak to some of the troubles the Rockets have had of late.
It’s never fun to play a team with nothing to lose. That’s what the Rockets will be facing, and while they should get the win, I can’t ignore how New Orleans has been playing lately. Since the break, the Pelicans have the seventh-best offense and 14th-ranked net rating.
With that, take the points and the Pelicans.
Today’s NBA Free Pick
Best Sportsbooks For New Orleans Pelicans vs. Houston Rockets NBA Gambling Today!
- VIP Program
- Mobile Betting
- Crypto
- Early Lines
- High Limits
- NEW VIP Rewards
- VIP Program
- Crypto
- Live & Mobile Betting!
- Crypto
- Live & Mobile Betting
- 48 Hour Payouts
- 35% Crypto Bonus
- Live Betting
- Mobile Friendly
NBA Betting Tweet Of The Day
Trey Murphy III 28 PTS, 7 REB, 3 AST, 3 STL, 8/12 FG, 5/8 3FG, 90.2% TS vs Raptors https://t.co/tRDqDKWmsW pic.twitter.com/u3nTxRvqvu
— Basketball Performances (@NBAPerformances) March 12, 2026
All in all, if you’re looking for more NBA picks like New Orleans Pelicans vs. Houston Rockets matchup, we’ll be providing 4* free NBA plays on the blog all season long. In fact, you can check out our NBA experts for guaranteed premium & free NBA basketball picks!
What’s more, register here for a FREE NBA Betting Account Now for daily free picks & more special offers! Lastly, what do you think, are you tailing this Pelicans Rockets free pick?
