New Orleans @ Houston Picks & Props

Jordan Hawkins has converted 46.4% of his three-point attempts over the last 10 games, 9.8% higher than he's made from 3-point range over the course of the season. Jordan Hawkins has been called for 0.0 technical fouls per game over the last 5 games when playing on the road, 0.1 less than he's been called for overall this year on the road. This year when they are away from home, the other team has posted 109.2 points per game (4th-lowest in the league) against the Houston Rockets, making this a difficult matchup for offensive effectiveness. The 5th-quickest pace team in the NBA over the last 5 games has been the Pelicans. The Houston Rockets have played at the 2nd-speediest pace-of-play in the NBA over the last 5 games, which ought to raise plays for the Pelicans.

Larry Nance Jr. has sunk 65.2% of his treys over the last 15 games, 14.4% higher than he's made from three overall this season. This year when they are away from home, the other team has posted 109.2 points per game (4th-lowest in the league) against the Houston Rockets, making this a difficult matchup for offensive effectiveness. The 5th-quickest pace team in the NBA over the last 5 games has been the Pelicans. The Houston Rockets have played at the 2nd-speediest pace-of-play in the NBA over the last 5 games, which ought to raise plays for the Pelicans. Offensive rebounds lengthen possession and spark extra chances for scoring and assists, and the Pelicans rank 9thbest in in the NBA with 11.1 offensive rebounds per game over the last 15 games.

Amen Thompson has successfully made 50.0% of his 3-point shots over the last 5 games, 30.7% more than he's converted from downtown in all games this year. The Houston Rockets have played at the 2nd-fastest tempo in the NBA over the last 5 games. The Houston Rockets will likely see a spike in opportunities in this game from squaring off against the 5th-speediest pace offense in the NBA over the last 5 games (the Pelicans). Offensive rebounds preserve possession and generate additional chances for scoring and assists, and the Rockets rank 1stbest in in the league with 12.9 offensive boards per game over the last 10 games. Away from home, the Pelicans have given up the least offensive boards per game (9.0) in the NBA to the other team this year (offensive rebounds maintain possession, and a lack of them can therefore reduce further opportunities for scoring and assists).

Fred VanVleet has been on the court for 36.1 minutes per game while at home this year, ranking him in the 98th percentile -- ranking among the most used players in the league. The matchup against the Pelicans is a positive one for 3-point attempts; the opposition's starting PGs have totaled the 28th-most 3-point attempts per game in the NBA this year (7.1). The Houston Rockets have played at the 2nd-fastest tempo in the NBA over the last 5 games. The Houston Rockets will likely see a spike in opportunities in this game from squaring off against the 5th-speediest pace offense in the NBA over the last 5 games (the Pelicans). Offensive rebounds preserve possession and generate additional chances for scoring and assists, and the Rockets rank 1stbest in in the league with 12.9 offensive boards per game over the last 10 games.

The Rockets have been the 10th-lowest scoring offense in the league this year. This matchup is a strong one for shots from behind the three-point arc; opposing squads have tallied the most 3-point attempts per game in the league this year (39.3).

Out of all players in the league, Zion Williamson rates in the 75th percentile for personal fouls, compiling a massive 2.3 fouls per game while playing on the road this year. In terms of shot attempts from beyond the arc, the 4th-least aggressive team in the league while playing on the road this year has been the Pelicans. The matchup against the Houston Rockets is a tough one for 3-point shots; the opposing team's starting PFs have posted the 15th-lowest 3-point percentage in the NBA this year (21.7%). Over the last 10 games when they are away from home, opposing teams have snagged 10.6 offensive boards per game (9th-highest in the NBA) against the Rockets (preserving possessions that can bring about further chances for offense). Relative to last season's 72.3% mark, Zion Williamson's free-throw effectiveness has tailed off this season to 62.1%.

In terms of shot attempts from beyond the arc, the 4th-least aggressive team in the league while playing on the road this year has been the Pelicans. This year when they are the visiting squad, the opposing team's starting SFs have shot 26.1% on 3-pointers (14th-lowest in the league) against the Houston Rockets, designating this as a difficult matchup. Over the last 10 games when they are away from home, opposing teams have snagged 10.6 offensive boards per game (9th-highest in the NBA) against the Rockets (preserving possessions that can bring about further chances for offense). Brandon Ingram has attempted just 5.1 free throws per game this year, quite a bit less than his 6.2 rate last year. Brandon Ingram will not hold the home court advantage in this contest. Playing away from your home court generally worsens player production for all stats.

Herbert Jones has successfully made 58.4% of his shots from behind the three-point arc over the last 15 games, 20.1% higher than he's made from downtown over the course of the season. The 5th-quickest pace team in the NBA over the last 5 games has been the Pelicans. The Houston Rockets have played at the 2nd-speediest pace-of-play in the NBA over the last 5 games, which ought to raise plays for the Pelicans. Offensive rebounds lengthen possession and spark extra chances for scoring and assists, and the Pelicans rank 9thbest in in the NBA with 11.1 offensive rebounds per game over the last 15 games. Herbert Jones has made 100.0% of his free throw attempts over the last 5 games, 11.9% more than he's put through the hoop overall this year.

Jabari Smith Jr. has committed 2.4 personal fouls per game playing at home this year, ranking in the 82nd percentile -- among the NBA's most foul-prone. The Rockets have been the 10th-lowest scoring offense in the league this year.

In terms of shot attempts from beyond the arc, the 4th-least aggressive team in the league while playing on the road this year has been the Pelicans. Over the last 10 games when they are away from home, the opposition's starting PGs have notched 12.8 points per game (14th-lowest in the league) against the Houston Rockets, creating a challenging matchup for offensive efficiency. Over the last 10 games when they are away from home, opposing teams have snagged 10.6 offensive boards per game (9th-highest in the NBA) against the Rockets (preserving possessions that can bring about further chances for offense). The matchup vs. Houston may be a challenging one for getting to the foul line; the opposition's starting PGs have attempted a lowly 1.7 free throws per game over the last 10 games when the Houston Rockets have the home court advantage (12th-least in the league). CJ McCollum will likely experience a decrease in effectiveness across the board due to playing on the visting team in this game.

Dillon Brooks has attempted 14.0 shots from the field per game over the last 5 games, 3.0 higher than he's attempted over the course of the season. Dillon Brooks has attempted 7.0 shots from downtown per game over the last 5 games, 2.2 higher than he's attempted in all games this year. Out of all players in the NBA, Dillon Brooks rates in the 79th percentile for playing time, logging a monstrous 30.4 minutes per game at home this year. The Houston Rockets have played at the 2nd-fastest tempo in the NBA over the last 5 games. The Houston Rockets will likely see a spike in opportunities in this game from squaring off against the 5th-speediest pace offense in the NBA over the last 5 games (the Pelicans).

Among all players in the NBA, Jonas Valanciunas comes in at the 96th percentile for personal fouls, logging a monstrous 3.0 fouls per game this year. In terms of shot attempts from beyond the arc, the 4th-least aggressive team in the league while playing on the road this year has been the Pelicans. Over the last 10 games when they are away from home, opposing teams have snagged 10.6 offensive boards per game (9th-highest in the NBA) against the Rockets (preserving possessions that can bring about further chances for offense). Over the last 25 games, their opposition has attempted 26.9 free throws per game (most in the league) vs. the Houston Rockets, making it fairly effortless to get to the charity stripe. Jonas Valanciunas will likely suffer a reduction in efficiency in all facets of the game as a result of being on the road in this matchup.

Jalen Green has logged 26.8 points per game over the last 5 games, 8.6 higher than he's logged overall this season. Jalen Green has attempted 8.2 threes per game over the last 10 games at home, 1.4 more than he's attempted in all games this season at home. Jalen Green has averaged 30.4 minutes per game at home this year, putting him in the 78th percentile -- seeing the court more than most players in the NBA. The matchup against the Pelicans is a strong one for three-point attempts; the opposing team's starting SGs have averaged the 27th-most 3-point attempts per game in the league this year (6.1). The Houston Rockets have played at the 2nd-fastest tempo in the NBA over the last 5 games.

Trey Murphy III has attempted 8.6 three-point shots per game over the last 5 games, 1.5 more than he's attempted in all games this year. The 5th-quickest pace team in the NBA over the last 5 games has been the Pelicans. The Houston Rockets have played at the 2nd-speediest pace-of-play in the NBA over the last 5 games, which ought to raise plays for the Pelicans. Offensive rebounds lengthen possession and spark extra chances for scoring and assists, and the Pelicans rank 9thbest in in the NBA with 11.1 offensive rebounds per game over the last 15 games. The matchup against Houston may be a good one for getting to the foul line; the opposing team's starting PFs have attempted a monstrous 7.6 free throws per game over the last 5 games when the Rockets have the home court advantage (30th-most in the league).

Dyson Daniels has successfully made 55.4% of his field goal attempts over the last 10 games on the road, 12.6% more than he's made in all games this year when playing away from home. Dyson Daniels has successfully made 50.0% of his three-point attempts over the last 10 games on the road, 16.7% higher than he's made from 3-point range in all games this season away from home. The 5th-quickest pace team in the NBA over the last 5 games has been the Pelicans. The Houston Rockets have played at the 2nd-speediest pace-of-play in the NBA over the last 5 games, which ought to raise plays for the Pelicans. Offensive rebounds lengthen possession and spark extra chances for scoring and assists, and the Pelicans rank 9thbest in in the NBA with 11.1 offensive rebounds per game over the last 15 games.

Alperen Sengun has tallied 4.0 personal fouls per game over the last 5 games while playing at home, 0.9 higher than he's tallied over the course of the year at home. The Rockets have been the 10th-lowest scoring offense in the league this year. The matchup against Jonas Valanciunas is a tough one for getting to the charity stripe; when matched up against opposing starting Cs this year, they have attempted a lowly 3.2 free throws per game (13th percentile).

Jae'Sean Tate has gone over 3.5 in 4 of his last 10 games.

Naji Marshall has not yet played a game this season.