The Rockets kick off a home-and-home series with the New Orleans Pelicans (20-32) on Sunday night in Houston, and if you’re looking to do some last-minute betting research, you’re in luck! We have the latest point spread, money line odds and over/under number, as well as all the information you need to make the best bets at Tipico Sportsbook.
The Rockets-Pelicans game tips at 6 p.m. CST and can be viewed or streamed via AT&T SportsNet Southwest and NBA League Pass.
The Rockets (15-37) were disappointed with their lack of focus and defensive effort in Friday’s blowout loss at San Antonio, but Sunday brings a new opportunity versus another divisional opponent that isn’t currently in the Western Conference playoff picture.
One contributing factor in Friday’s defeat was the absence of starting point guard Kevin Porter Jr., who has played very well in recent weeks but was limited to 11 minutes in San Antonio due to chest congestion.
Porter isn’t listed on Houston’s injury report for Sunday, so it appears the expectation is for him to play versus the Pelicans. Returning to Toyota Center could also offer a boost to the Rockets, since they’re coming off a feel-good victory there versus Cleveland in their last home outing.
Kevin Porter Jr, who missed the second half last night (illness), is not on the Rockets current injury report.
— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) February 5, 2022
However, New Orleans enters with momentum of its own on the back of two straight victories — including an impressive 113-105 win on Friday at Denver. Promising rookie wing Herbert Jones scored a team-high 25 points in the win, including 18 in the fourth quarter alone.
In the only previous meeting between the teams in the 2021-22 season, Houston defeated New Orleans by 10 points in early December to secure the sixth win of their historic seven-game winning streak. Christian Wood and Eric Gordon led Houston’s scoring with 23 apiece.
The way Gordon, Wood addressed the trade speculation, both sounded as if they would be very pleased to be introduced as Rockets starters Thursday night. Between them, they have been involved in one "real" trade in their careers. https://t.co/PNqlFvQ1Dl
— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) February 5, 2022
