The Houston Rockets will visit the New Orleans Pelicans for some basketball gambling action this Thursday at the Smoothie King Center. With the All Star break all but over NBA online betting is almost back.
The Rockets had a four-game winning streak snapped when they lost 109-117 to the Heat a week ago. James Harden had 38 points, 12 rebounds, and 12 assists for his 15th triple-double of the regular season. Fun fact: There is no chin behind James Harden’s beard; there are only another couple of hands shooting, passing, and rebounding. Another not so fun fact: Houston failed to hold a lead for the first time in the entire season. The Rockets shot 13 for 40 from the three-point line. Houston has lost eight of 12 games this season when making fewer 3-point shots than the opposing teams and 36-10 when making more. The Rockets lost guard Patrick Beverley in the second quarter to a strained groin. Corey Brewer took to the court in his place and had four points in 27 minutes. Brewer has reportedly been traded to the Lakers in exchange for Lou Williams. Houston is third in the Western Conference behind Golden State and San Antonio with a 40-18 record. In NBA online betting trends, the Rockets are 3-7 against the basketball gambling spread in the last 10 games when playing on the road against the Pelicans and 6-1 SU in the last seven games when playing the Pelicans.
The Pelicans won two in a row before the break, including a 95-91 win over Memphis six days ago. Solomon ‘Grundy’ Hill had a season-best 23 points, Anthony Davis added 18 – including a crucial basket in the last minute –, Jrue Holiday had 19 points and seven assists, and Alexis Ajinca had 12 points and a season-best 10 rebounds. NO missed seven of its first eight shots and trailed 12-3, but the Pelicans hit 11 of their next 14 to command an 18-point lead as they breezed through the first three quarters, but had to quell a late game rally by the Grizzlies. Davis nailed a 23-foot jumper to hold Memphis off. New Orleans hosted the All Star weekend, during which Davis won the 2017 All-Star Games MVP award on the strength of a record-setting 52-point performance. The Pelicans will return to regular competition with an extra All Star; the team acquired DeMarcus Cousins – as well as Omri Casspi – from the Kings in exchange for Tyreke Evans, Buddy Hield, Langston Galloway, and 2017 first round and second round draft picks. As local columnist Jeff Duncan said of the trade, “the Pelicans have been transformed from national afterthoughts to prime-time players.” Well, they certainly are making moves, making moves, making million dollar moves. “All eyes will be on the Pels.” In NBA online betting trends,New Orleans is 7-3 against the basketball gambling spread in the last 10 games when playing at home against the Rockets and 1-6 SU in the last seven games when playing the Rockets.