Rockets vs. Pelicans Dunkel NBA Picks, Predictions and Odds - Dec. 18

The Houston Rockets (16-7) will visit the New Orleans Pelicans (5-22) after dropping three road games in a row.

The Rockets face the Pelicans in a game that Houston is currently a healthy favorite by 9.5 points. The matchup's over/under is 233.5.

Rockets vs. Pelicans Odds and Game Time

• Game day: Thursday, December 18, 2025
• Game time: 8 p.m. ET
• Location: New Orleans, Louisiana
• Arena: Smoothie King Center
• Total: 233.5 points
• Spread: Rockets -9.5
• Moneyline: Rockets (-420), Pelicans (+330)

How to watch Rockets vs. Pelicans

• TV Channel: Space City Home Network
• Live Stream: Fubo

Betting the Over/Under: Rockets vs. Pelicans

• In eight of 23 games this season, the Rockets and their opponents have scored more than 233.5 points.
• The Pelicans have played 15 games this season that finished with a combined score over 233.5 points.
• The teams combine to score 235 points per game, 1.5 more points than this matchup's total.
• These two teams give up 234 points per game combined, 0.5 more points than the total for this matchup.

Betting the Spread: Rockets vs. Pelicans

• Houston has covered 14 times in 23 chances against the spread this season.
• The Rockets have covered the spread five times this season (5-2 ATS) when playing as at least 9.5-point favorites.
• The Pelicans have covered 17 times in 27 games with a spread this season.
• New Orleans has an ATS record of 8-5 when playing as at least 9.5-point underdogs this year.
• The Pelicans are 10-5 against the spread, and 3-12 overall, at home this season.
• Away from home, the Rockets are 8-5 overall and 9-4 against the spread.
• Houston has one win ATS (1-1) on the road as 9.5-point favorites or more.

Betting the Moneyline: Rockets vs. Pelicans

• The Rockets have won 15 of the 21 games they were favored on the moneyline this season (71.4%).
• The Pelicans have won four, or 15.4%, of the 26 games they've played as underdogs this season.
• Houston has gone 5-1 in games it has played as a moneyline favorite with odds of -420 or shorter (winning 83.3%).
• New Orleans has not won as an underdog of +330 or more on the moneyline this season in 13 games with those odds or longer.
• Based on this contest's moneyline, the Rockets have an implied win probability of 80.8%.

Dunkel Index Prediction for Rockets vs. Pelicans

• Pick ATS: Rockets (- 9.5)
• Pick OU: Under (233.5)
  
• Prediction: Rockets 120 - Pelicans 107
• Check out the rest of our Dunkel Index NBA Picks!