The Pelicans will play the Rockets on Sunday, January 18th, 2026. Your timezone's tip off time is 7:10 pm EST. Check local listings or your nearest streaming app for coverage.
Learn more about NBA Betting with our handy tutorial and guide. We explain spread, total and money line bets. Plus, a great discussion about exotic bets like NBA parlays and props.
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Table of Contents
- Matchup Stats
- Captain Shady Lines
- Best Odds
- Interactive Odds Example
- Prop Bets
- Team Standings
- Futures Odds
- Team Pages
- Other Games Today
Key Matchup Stats
The New Orleans Pelicans and the Houston Rockets will tip-off on Sunday, January 18th, 2026 in what should be another exciting matchup of the 2025-26 NBA season. As we look ahead beyond the season's midway point, it's important to note that each team's performance trends are now falling into place. Use the following analytical insights to size up this matchup and to place an informed wager.
- SportsBetting3.com Power Rankings - The New Orleans Pelicans come to this game with a 84.00 power ranking. The power ranking for their opponent, the Houston Rockets, is currently 96.33. Note that the higher power ranking usually correlates to the favorite team, while the lower ranking to the underdog.
- Away New Orleans Pelicans - The New Orleans Pelicans currently have a 3-16 away team record. They now rank 13th in the league for away team wins.
- Home Houston Rockets - The Houston Rockets come to the floor sporting a 13-3 record as a home team. As a result, they stand 5th in the league for home team wins in the 2025-26 NBA regular season.
- Average Points Per Game - The New Orleans Pelicans currently rank 18th (115.0) for average points scored per game. The Houston Rockets stand 10th, averaging 117.1 PPG.
- Average Opponent Points Per Game - Opponents have scored an average of 122.3 points against the New Orleans Pelicans, ranking them 3rd in the league. Meanwhile, the Houston Rockets currently rank 28th in the league for points scored against them. Their current standing is 110.7 OPPG.
- Team Division Records - The New Orleans Pelicans currently have a 3-6 Western Southwest Division division record. Their opponent, the Houston Rockets, come to the game with a 2-4 Western Southwest Division standing.
- Overall Team Records - The New Orleans Pelicans have a 10-34 overall record, while the Houston Rockets have a 24-15 standing.
Captain Shady Lines
A broken compass is right at least twice a day.
Avast ye landlubbers! The New Orleans Pelicans set sail for battle...against the Houston Rockets this Sunday at the raucous Rockets venue...The Pelicans, with a dismal 10-34 record, face the Rockets at 24-15...In the Western Southwest Division, the Pelicans stand at 3-6...while the Rockets have a slightly better 2-4 division record...The Pelicans average 115.0 points per game, but the Rockets boast 117.1...
Be sure to review each team's performance stats before wagering...Our preferred sportsbooks offer some of the best point spreads, totals...and moneylines for this game, so place your bets wisely...We have a great sampling of this game's prop bets below...Prepare for an epic showdown on the hardwood, ye scallywags! (Let's go Rockets!)
Best Pelicans at Rockets Odds
| Underdog New Orleans Pelicans | Favorite Houston Rockets |
|---|---|
| Over | Under |
|---|---|
| Underdog New Orleans Pelicans | Favorite Houston Rockets |
|---|---|
Matchup Odds FAQs
The Houston Rockets are -14.5 -105 point spread favorites at BetMGM, while the New Orleans Pelicans are +14.5 -115 point spread underdogs at BetMGM.
The best over line is 232.5 -110 points at BetMGM, which means you risk $110 to win $100 betting the over. The best under line is 232.5 -110 points at BetMGM, and that means you risk $110 to win $100 betting the under.
The Houston Rockets are the -900 moneyline favorite at BetMGM and the New Orleans Pelicans are the +575 moneyline underdog at BetMGM.
NBA Odds Example
|
Game |
 BetMGMBet |
|---|---|
Pelicans
Rockets
1/18/26 7:10pm EST | +14.5 -115-14.5 -105 |
Underdog New Orleans Pelicans - New Orleans Pelicans bettors risk $100 to win $86.96 at -115 odds.
A +14.5 New Orleans Pelicans underdog bet wins if they lose by 14 or fewer, tie, or win outright. Your bet loses if they lose by 15 or more.
Favorite Houston Rockets - Houston Rockets bettors risk $100 to win $95.24 at -105 odds.
A -14.5 Houston Rockets favorite bet wins if they win by 15 or more. Your bet loses if they win by 14 or fewer, tie, or lose outright.
New Orleans Pelicans at Houston Rockets Prop Bets
| BetMGM Bet |
|
|---|---|
Pelicans
Rockets
Game to Overtime
1/18/26 7:10pm EST | Yes +2200No -10000Bet |
Rockets
Team Total Points
NOP at HOU 1/18/26 7:10pm EST | 123.5 o -118123.5 u -110Bet |
Pelicans
Team Total Points
NOP at HOU 1/18/26 7:10pm EST | 108.5 o -115108.5 u -110Bet |
Alperen Sengun
Points Scored
NOP at HOU 1/18/26 7:10pm EST | 22.5 o -11022.5 u -118Bet |
| BetMGM | |
Amen Thompson
Points Scored
NOP at HOU 1/18/26 7:10pm EST | 18.5 o -13018.5 u -105Bet |
Derik Queen
Points Scored
NOP at HOU 1/18/26 7:10pm EST | 10.5 o -12510.5 u -105Bet |
Dorian Finney-Smith
Points Scored
NOP at HOU 1/18/26 7:10pm EST | 3.5 o -1053.5 u -130Bet |
Jabari Smith Jr
Points Scored
NOP at HOU 1/18/26 7:10pm EST | 15.5 o +10015.5 u -130Bet |
| BetMGM | |
Jeremiah Fears
Points Scored
NOP at HOU 1/18/26 7:10pm EST | 12.5 o -11812.5 u -110Bet |
Jordan Poole
Points Scored
NOP at HOU 1/18/26 7:10pm EST | 10.5 o -11510.5 u -115Bet |
Kevin Durant
Points Scored
NOP at HOU 1/18/26 7:10pm EST | 25.5 o +10025.5 u -135Bet |
Reed Sheppard
Points Scored
NOP at HOU 1/18/26 7:10pm EST | 11.5 o +10011.5 u -130Bet |
| BetMGM | |
Saddiq Bey
Points Scored
NOP at HOU 1/18/26 7:10pm EST | 13.5 o -10513.5 u -130Bet |
Steven Adams
Points Scored
NOP at HOU 1/18/26 7:10pm EST | 6.5 o +1156.5 u -150Bet |
Tari Eason
Points Scored
NOP at HOU 1/18/26 7:10pm EST | 11.5 o -11011.5 u -120Bet |
Trey Murphy III
Points Scored
NOP at HOU 1/18/26 7:10pm EST | 20.5 o +10020.5 u -135Bet |
| BetMGM | |
Yves Missi
Points Scored
NOP at HOU 1/18/26 7:10pm EST | 5.5 o -1105.5 u -120Bet |
Zion Williamson
Points Scored
NOP at HOU 1/18/26 7:10pm EST | 20.5 o -11820.5 u -115Bet |
Alperen Sengun
Points, Rebounds & Assists
NOP at HOU 1/18/26 7:10pm EST | 38.5 o -11538.5 u -115Bet |
Amen Thompson
Points, Rebounds & Assists
NOP at HOU 1/18/26 7:10pm EST | 31.5 o -12031.5 u -110Bet |
| BetMGM | |
Jabari Smith Jr
Points, Rebounds & Assists
NOP at HOU 1/18/26 7:10pm EST | 24.5 o -11024.5 u -120Bet |
Trey Murphy III
Points, Rebounds & Assists
NOP at HOU 1/18/26 7:10pm EST | 28.5 o -11828.5 u -110Bet |
Zion Williamson
Points, Rebounds & Assists
NOP at HOU 1/18/26 7:10pm EST | 30.5 o -10530.5 u -125Bet |
Team Standings
| Team | W | L | Pct | GB | Home | Away | Div | Conf | PPG | Op. PPG | Diff | Strk | L10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Houston Rockets | 33 | 20 | 0.623 | +7.5 | 18-7 | 15-13 | 6-5 | 19-16 | 114.6 | 109.6 | +5.0 | L1 | 6-4 |
| New Orleans Pelicans | 15 | 41 | 0.268 | +27.0 | 9-20 | 6-21 | 6-7 | 9-26 | 114.6 | 120.4 | -5.8 | L1 | 5-5 |
New Orleans Pelicans & Houston Rockets Futures Odds
Latest NBA Championship odds, if available, for each team. Review odds for other teams and learn how to bet on the NBA Championship. See past Championship results and learn how to bet NBA Finals teasers, props and parlays.
New Orleans Pelicans Championship Odds|
Team | BetMGM |
|---|---|
| Pelicans | +100000 Bet |
|
Team | BetMGM |
|---|---|
| Rockets | +1800 Bet |
New Orleans Pelicans & Houston Rockets Team Pages
Review each team's season win total odds, futures odds, betting bonuses and other valuable information on our exclusive team betting odds pages. Team betting odds and stats update throughout the season:
How to Bet on the Game
Time needed: 4 minutes.
How to Bet on the New Orleans Pelicans vs Houston Rockets NBA Game
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Open a new sports betting account before game time.
Review our list of sports betting sites. Open a new account before the game starts on Sunday, January 18th, 2026 at 7:10 pm EST, making sure to enter all your personal details correctly. Don't forget to add your bonus code.
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Visit the sportsbook’s cashier, banking, or deposit page.
Navigate to the sportsbook's deposit page. Use your Visa card or MasterCard, or deposit with a bank transfer, or other methods like Paypal.
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Tap to the sportsbook's NBA page, look for the New Orleans Pelicans vs Houston Rockets Game.
Navigate to the sportsbook's NBA page. Next, look for live or upcoming matchups. Select the New Orleans Pelicans vs Houston Rockets Game.
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Choose your bet and place a wager.
Choose your bet and then use the funds you deposited to place a wager. The sportsbook will pay your winnings or deduct a losing wager from your account balance after the game.