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Friday’s NBA schedule includes a matchup between the Houston Rockets and the New Orleans Pelicans, with Houston hosting this Western Conference clash. With both teams coming off very different recent performances, the key question is which side holds the advantage in this Rockets vs. Pelicans betting matchup.
Houston enters the contest with a 40-25 record after suffering a difficult 129-93 defeat against the Denver Nuggets in its most recent outing. On the other side, New Orleans improved to 22-45 following a solid 122-111 win over the Toronto Raptors. These teams have already met once this season, with the Rockets claiming a 119-110 victory when they faced the Pelicans on Jan. 18.
- What? NBA: New Orleans Pelicans vs. Houston Rockets
- Where? Toyota Center, Houston
- When? Friday, March 13, 2026 at 8.00pm ET
Below are the NBA betting lines from three of the best NBA Basketball betting sites.
| NBA |  |  |  |
| New Orleans Pelicans | +225 | +225 | +230 |
| Houston Rockets | -275 | -275 | -280 |
| New Orleans Pelicans +7 | -115 | -115 | -110 |
| Houston Rockets -7 | -105 | -105 | -110 |
| Over 228.5 | -110 | -110 | -115 |
| Under 228.5 | -110 | -110 | -105 |
Houston Rockets
The Houston Rockets come into this Western Conference matchup having lost two of their previous three contests, with their most recent outing ending in a heavy 129-93 defeat against the Denver Nuggets. It was a difficult night for Houston, as the game slipped away after halftime.
The Rockets were within striking distance early and went into the break trailing by just six points. However, Denver took full control in the second half, overwhelming Houston with a dominant 76-46 scoring advantage after the interval. The turning point came in the third quarter, when the Nuggets erupted for a 40-22 run that effectively put the contest out of reach.
Amen Thompson paced Houston offensively, finishing with 16 points while also contributing five rebounds and four assists. Kevin Durant and Jabari Smith Jr. each chipped in 11 points, as the Rockets ended the night with five players reaching double figures despite the lopsided final score.
New Orleans Pelicans
After suffering consecutive defeats against both Los Angeles teams, the New Orleans Pelicans have bounced back with improved form, winning three of their last four contests. Their most recent success came in a 122-111 win over the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday night.
New Orleans controlled much of the game and built a lead that stretched to 18 points at one stage. Toronto managed to rally and cut the margin to just two points early in the fourth quarter, but the Pelicans quickly regained control. An 8-0 run down the stretch restored breathing room and allowed New Orleans to close out the victory.
Trey Murphy III led the Pelicans offensively with 28 points while also collecting seven rebounds, knocking down five of his eight attempts from beyond the arc. Dejounte Murray also delivered a strong performance, finishing with 27 points along with six assists and five rebounds.
New Orleans Pelicans vs. Houston Rockets Betting Picks
The Houston Rockets have posted a 2-3 straight-up record over their last five games, while also going 2-3 against the spread during that span. Meanwhile, the New Orleans Pelicans have been in stronger form recently, compiling a 7-3 straight-up mark across their previous 10 contests and covering the spread in eight of those matchups.
Despite New Orleans’ recent success, Houston has largely controlled this series in recent years. The Rockets have won seven of the last 10 meetings between the teams and have also produced a 6-4 record in their previous 10 games against Western Conference opponents. Taking those factors into account, Houston appears well positioned to secure the victory in this matchup and cover the spread.
Houston often prefers to push the tempo offensively, creating more possessions and shot opportunities, which typically leads to higher totals. New Orleans has also shown the ability to generate points recently, including a 122-point performance against the Toronto Raptors. At the same time, both teams have displayed defensive inconsistencies throughout the season, with Houston recently surrendering 129 points in a loss to the Denver Nuggets. With multiple scoring threats on both rosters and a pace that could favor offensive production, this contest has the potential to generate enough points to push the total past the over threshold.
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