The Houston Rockets (16-7) are 9.5-point favorites as they attempt to stop a three-game road slide when they take on the New Orleans Pelicans (5-22) on Thursday, December 18, 2025 at Smoothie King Center. The matchup airs at 8 p.m. ET on SCHN, Gulf Coast Sports, WVUE, and Pelicans+. The matchup’s over/under is set at 234.5.
On Monday, in its most recent game, Houston lost to the Nuggets 128-125 in OT. With 33 points, Alperen Sengun was its top scorer.
Rockets vs. Pelicans betting information
NBA odds courtesy of BetMGM Sportsbook. Odds updated Thursday at 1:25 a.m. ET. For a full list of sports betting odds, access USA TODAY Sports Betting Scores Odds Hub.
Spread: Houston -9.5Moneyline: Houston -450, New Orleans +340Total: 234.5 pointsRockets betting insightsThe Rockets’ ATS record is 14-9-0 this season.The Rockets have a 4-2 record against the spread this season when favored by 9.5 points or more.The teams have hit the over in 14 of the Rockets’ 27 games with a set total.Rockets key playersAlperen Sengun: 23.5 PTS, 9.4 REB, 7.1 AST, 1.5 STL, 50 FG%, 35.1 3PT% (20-for-57)Amen Thompson: 17.3 PTS, 7.3 REB, 5.3 AST, 1.3 STL, 48 FG%, 18.8 3PT% (9-for-48)Kevin Durant: 24.8 PTS, 50.1 FG%, 40.4 3PT% (38-for-94)Jabari Smith Jr.: 15.4 PTS, 45.8 FG%, 37.1 3PT% (46-for-124)Reed Sheppard: 12.9 PTS, 1.6 STL, 46.3 FG%, 43.7 3PT% (59-for-135)Rockets vs. Pelicans game infoGame day: Thursday, December 18, 2025Game time: 8 p.m. ETLocation: New Orleans, LouisianaArena: Smoothie King CenterTV channel: Space City Home NetworkLive stream: Watch this game on Fubo