Jan. 18, 2026, 12:00 p.m. ET

The New Orleans Pelicans (10-34) and Houston Rockets (24-15) meet Sunday at 7 p.m. ET from Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NBA odds around the Pelicans vs. Rockets odds and make our expert NBA picks and predictions for the best bets.

Season series: Pelicans lead 1-0, a 133-128 home win in overtime on Dec. 18. New Orleans covered as a 9.5-point underdog and the Over (235.5) cashed, and did so before the end of regulation.

The Pelicans lost to the Indiana Pacers 127-119 on Friday, failing to cover as a 4.5-point road underdog with the Over (241.5) cashing. All 5 New Orleans starters hit double figures, with F Zion Williamson scoring 27 points. The Pelicans are 2-3 straight up and against the spread (ATS) over their last 5 games. The Pelicans are 22-21-1 ATS on the season.

The Rockets beat the surging Minnesota Timberwolves 110-105 on Friday, covering as a 3.5-point home favorite. The Under (222.5) hit. Houston was led by F Kevin Durant, who scored a team-high 39 points on 11-for-18 shooting. The Rockets have lost 4 of their last 6 games and are just 1-5 ATS in those performances. They are 19-20 ATS on the season.

Watch the NBA on Fubo!Pelicans at Rockets odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Sunday at 11:50 a.m. ET.

Moneyline (ML): Pelicans +550 (bet $100 to win $550) | Rockets -800 (bet $800 to win $100)Against the spread (ATS): Pelicans +13.5 (-110) | Rockets -13.5 (-110)Over/Under (O/U): 231.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)Pelicans at Rockets key injuries

Pelicans

G Jose Alvarado (oblique) outF Herbert Jones (ankle) outG Dejounte Murray (Achilles) out

Rockets

F Tari Eason (ankle) questionableG Fred VanVleet (knee) out

For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.

Pelicans at Rockets picks and predictionsPrediction

Rockets 125, Pelicans 115

PASS.

There’s no playable moneyline wager here. The Rockets (-800) would cost far too much here and aren’t worth taking to win outright.

BET PELICANS +13.5 (-110).

The Rockets have not rewarded bettors often, and they’ve been even worse as a heavy favorite. Houston has failed to cover in 4 straight games as a favorite of 8.5 points or greater and is 1-3 ATS in its last 4 home games.

The Pelicans are 1-2 in their last 3 away games but both losses were by 10 points or fewer. They have a talented roster and have scored at least 116 points in 5 straight contests. Take PELICANS +13.5 (-110).

BET OVER 231.5 (-105).

The Pelicans know how to score, but at the same time they have had immense defensive woes. New Orleans has allowed at least 122 points in 3 of its last 4 games and is 3-1 O/U in that span.

The Rockets have given up at least 111 points in 4 of their last 5 games, so they’ve struggled on that side of the court, as well. Against New Orleans’ 28th-ranked scoring defense (122.3 ppg allowed), Houston should bounce back offensively, too.

Back OVER 231.5 (-105).

For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.

Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter/X and like us on Facebook.

Access more NBA coverage:

HoopsHype | Celtics Wire | Nets Wire | Rockets Wire | Sixers Wire | Thunder Wire | Warriors Wire | LeBron Wire | Rookie Wire | List Wire

Our team of savvy editors independently handpicks all recommendations. If you purchase through our links, the USA Today Network may earn a commission. Prices were accurate at the time of publication but may change.

Gambling involves risk. Please only gamble with funds that you can comfortably afford to lose.  While we do our utmost to offer good advice and information we cannot be held responsible for any loss that may be incurred as a result of gambling.  We do our best to make sure all the information that we provide on this site is correct. However, from time to time mistakes will be made and we will not be held liable. Please check any stats or information if you are unsure how accurate they are. No guarantees are made with regards to results or financial gain. All forms of betting carry financial risk and it is up to the individual to make bets with or without the assistance of information provided on this site and we cannot be held responsible for any loss that may be incurred as a result of following the betting tips provided on this site.  Past performances do not guarantee success in the future and betting odds fluctuate from one minute to the next. The material contained on this site is intended to inform, entertain and educate the reader and in no way represents an inducement to gamble legally or illegally or any sort of professional advice.

Gannett may earn revenue from sports betting operators for audience referrals to betting services. Sports betting operators have no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. Terms apply, see operator site for Terms and Conditions. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, help is available. Call the National Council on Problem Gambling 24/7 at 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ, OH), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN). Must be 21 or older to gamble. Sports betting and gambling are not legal in all locations. Be sure to comply with laws applicable where you reside. It is your sole responsibility to act in accordance with your local laws.