Venue: Smoothie King Center, New Orleans, Louisiana
Broadcast: Space City Home Network, FanDuel Sports Network New Orleans, NBA League Pass
The Houston Rockets (16-7) travel to New Orleans to face the reeling Pelicans (5-22) in a Western Conference mismatch. Houston, one of the league’s early surprises under Ime Udoka, sits firmly in the top-4 of the West with elite defense and balanced scoring. New Orleans, meanwhile, continues a nightmare season plagued by injuries and inconsistency, sitting dead last in the conference. This is the second meeting of the 2025-26 season (Rockets won the first 118-102 in Houston on Nov 10), with Houston heavily favored to sweep the early series.
Injury Report (As of Thursday Afternoon – Subject to Game-Time Decisions)
Houston Rockets:
Jabari Smith Jr. (left ankle sprain): Probable – Returned to full practice; expected to play.
Tari Eason (knee soreness): Questionable
Steven Adams (calf management): Out
Core rotation including Jalen Green, Fred VanVleet, Alperen Şengün, Dillon Brooks, and Amen Thompson all full participants and available.
New Orleans Pelicans:
Zion Williamson (right hamstring strain): Out – Ongoing absence; major factor in offensive struggles.
CJ McCollum (adductor tightness): Doubtful
Dejounte Murray (Achilles recovery): Out
Trey Murphy III (hamstring): Out
Herb Jones (shoulder): Out
Jose Alvarado (ankle): Questionable
Yves Missi and Jordan Hawkins likely lead a depleted lineup; heavy minutes for rookies and G League call-ups.
Pelicans decimated by injuries to nearly their entire starting core; Rockets near full strength, widening the talent chasm.
Key Player Matchups
Alperen Şengün vs. Pelicans Frontcourt (Yves Missi/Daniel Theis): Şengün’s All-Star caliber play (~21 PPG, 10 RPG, 6 APG, elite post efficiency) dominates New Orleans’ rookie/big depth issues; expect paint scoring and playmaking clinic.
Jalen Green vs. Pelicans Guards: Green’s explosive scoring (~24 PPG, improved efficiency) exploits depleted perimeter defense; transition buckets likely.
Fred VanVleet/Dillon Brooks vs. Jordan Hawkins/Jose Alvarado (if active): Rockets’ veteran backcourt stifles with on-ball pressure; Brooks’ defense neutralizes any Hawkins bursts.
Amen Thompson vs. Pelicans Wings: Thompson’s athletic two-way impact overwhelms mismatched forwards—rebounding and fast-break edge.
Bench Battle: Houston’s depth (Cam Whitmore, Tari Eason if active) vs. New Orleans’ limited options—second-unit scoring heavily favors Rockets.
Game projects as Rockets-controlled pace with paint dominance and forced turnovers; Pelicans reliant on three-point volume for any chance.
Team Records and Standings Context
Houston Rockets: 16-7 (4th Western Conference). Young core maturing into contenders; top-3 defense league-wide.
New Orleans Pelicans: 5-22 (Last in Western Conference). Injury-ravaged season derailing any momentum.
Recent Team Form
Rockets: Winners of 6 of last 8, including 124-110 road win over Oklahoma City (Dec 16) and 115-98 vs. Portland (Dec 14). Defense elite (holding opponents under 105 PPG during stretch), offense balanced with Şengün/Green synergy.
Pelicans: Lost 14 of last 16, including 112-95 home defeat to Memphis (Dec 15) and 130-102 blowout at Dallas (Dec 13). Offense stagnant without Zion/Murray; defense porous, especially in transition.
Rockets rolling with confidence; Pelicans in freefall, showing little fight lately.
Series History
All-Time Regular Season: Rockets lead 92-85.
Recent (Last 10): Rockets 7-3, often comfortably.
2025-26 Season: Rockets lead 1-0 (118-102 in Houston – Şengün 28/14, Pelicans under 40% shooting).
At Smoothie King Center: Rockets won 4 of last 6 visits; average margin 12+ points recently.
Betting Trends
Rockets 14-9 ATS overall, excellent covering on road vs. sub-.500 teams.
Pelicans poor as home dogs; unders dominating their games (offense crippled).
Sharp money on under due to mismatch and low pace projection.
Game Odds
Houston Rockets – 9.5
New Orleans Pelicans 233.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Wednesday, December 17, 2025
