Venue and Game Details
The New Orleans Pelicans (10-34) take on the Houston Rockets (24-15) at Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. This 18,500-seat arena, opened in 2003, is the home of the Rockets and has hosted multiple NBA All-Star events and playoff games.
Tip-off is scheduled for Sunday, January 18, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. ET (6:00 p.m. CT).
The game will be broadcast on SCHN (Rockets), Gulf Coast Sports/Pelicans+, and NBA League Pass.
This is the second meeting of the season; New Orleans won the first 133-128 in overtime on December 18, 2025, at Smoothie King Center.
Recent Team Forms
The Pelicans are coming off a 127-119 loss to the Pacers on January 16, while the Rockets edged the Timberwolves 110-105 on the same day.
Here’s a look at their last 10 games (most recent first):
New Orleans Pelicans (2-8 in last 10, 1-4 in last 5):
| Date | Opponent | Result | Score |
| Jan 16 | @ IND | L | 119-127 |
| Jan 14 | vs BKN | W | 116-113 |
| Jan 13 | vs DEN | L | 116-122 |
| Jan 11 | @ ORL | L | 118-128 |
| Jan 9 | @ WAS | W | 128-107 |
| Jan 7 | @ ATL | L | 100-117 |
| Jan 6 | vs LAL | L | 103-111 |
| Jan 4 | @ MIA | L | 106-125 |
| Jan 2 | vs POR | L | 109-122 |
| Dec 31 | @ CHI | L | 118-134 |
New Orleans has averaged 112.9 PPG in losses but allowed 121.2 PPG, with poor defense (48.1% opponent FG) and turnovers (14.8 per game). Zion Williamson leads with 24.6 PPG over the stretch, but injuries have hampered consistency.
Houston Rockets (5-5 in last 10, 3-2 in last 5):
| Date | Opponent | Result | Score |
| Jan 16 | vs MIN | W | 110-105 |
| Jan 15 | vs OKC | L | 91-111 |
| Jan 13 | vs CHI | W | 119-113 |
| Jan 11 | @ SAC | L | 98-111 |
| Jan 10 | @ LAC | W | 128-109 |
| Jan 8 | @ LAC | W | 131-121 |
| Jan 7 | @ POR | L | 115-127 |
| Jan 5 | vs IND | W | 123-114 |
| Jan 3 | vs PHX | L | 108-115 |
| Jan 1 | @ DAL | L | 103-120 |
Houston has averaged 112.3 PPG recently but excels defensively (holding opponents to 107.8 PPG in wins).
Alperen Sengun averages 22.1 PPG and 11.4 RPG over the last 10, with strong rebounding (49.2 RPG team).
Injury Report
New Orleans Pelicans:
Trey Alexander (G): Out (G League – Two-Way).
Jose Alvarado (G): Out (left oblique strain) – Expected to miss additional time.
Hunter Dickinson (C): Out (G League – Two-Way).
Herbert Jones (F): Out (right ankle sprain).
Dejounte Murray (G): Out (right Achilles rupture) – Out for season.
The Pelicans’ backcourt and defense are severely depleted without Jones and Murray.
Houston Rockets:
Isaiah Crawford (G): Out (G League – Two-Way).
Tari Eason (F): Questionable (right ankle sprain).
Tristen Newton (G): Out (G League – Two-Way).
Fred VanVleet (G): Out (right knee ACL repair) – Out for season.
VanVleet’s absence hurts playmaking, but Eason’s potential return adds depth.
Key Player Matchups
This Southwest Division matchup highlights Houston’s defensive prowess against New Orleans’ injury-riddled offense. The Rockets’ rebounding (49.2 RPG, 1st in NBA) could dominate the Pelicans’ weaker boards (42.8 RPG).
Zion Williamson (NOP) vs. Alperen Sengun (HOU): Williamson (24.6 PPG recently) brings power inside; Sengun (22.1 PPG, 11.4 RPG) counters with versatility and blocks (1.2 BPG).
Trey Murphy III (NOP) vs. Dillon Brooks (HOU): Murphy (18.7 PPG, 38% 3PT) stretches the floor; Brooks provides perimeter defense (1.1 SPG).
Jordan Hawkins (NOP) vs. Reed Sheppard (HOU): Hawkins (14.2 PPG) fills in at guard; Sheppard (11.8 PPG, 4.2 APG) exploits mismatches.
Yves Missi (NOP) vs. Steven Adams (HOU): Missi (if available, 8.4 RPG) battles for rebounds; Adams (9.6 RPG) anchors the paint.
Series History
The Rockets lead the all-time regular-season series 48-39 over the Pelicans.
In 87 meetings, Houston holds a slight edge, but New Orleans has won 3 of the last 5, including the December 18, 2025 overtime thriller (133-128).
The Rockets’ longest streak was 10 wins (2013-2016), while the Pelicans’ was 6 (2018-2019).
Betting Trends
Spread (ATS): Pelicans 23-21 overall (15-10 at home, 8-11 on road); Rockets 19-20 (13-3 at home, 6-17 on road).
Pelicans are 2-8 ATS in last 10; Rockets 1-4 ATS as 10+ point favorites.
Over/Under: Pelicans games 24-20 to the over (15-10 at home); Rockets 19-20 (9-7 at home).
Last matchup went over 235.5 (261 points); over in 6 of last 10 H2H.
Game Odds
New Orleans Pelicans 231.5
Houston Rockets – 13.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Saturday, January 17, 2026
