The Rockets’ last five games have seen a lot of scoring, most of it due to them giving up an average of 123.2 points. It’s been quite the opposite for the Pelicans recently; their last five games have averaged just 207.6 total points. I think this total is too high and will play accordingly.

Houston gave up 131 points to San Antonio on Friday. As someone who bet on the Spurs, I liked that. Rockets’ fans certainly didn’t; it was the second time in the last five games they allowed San Antonio to go over 130. The Rockets allowed the Spurs to shoot 57.3% on Friday. That probably will not happen here against the Pelicans.

There is a chance this will end up being the highest total for any Pelicans’ game so far this season. That’s certainly notable. This is a team that’s giving up an average of only 101.5 points in its last four games.

The last four head to head meetings have all gone Over. But those were all with totals of 225.0 or lower. The only previous meeting of 2021-22 was a 118-108 final (that Houston won), which would NOT have gone Over tonight’s total.

Houston will figure it out defensively here, at least enough to keep New Orleans around its season average of 105.5 points per game. Meanwhile, I don’t expect the Rockets to score a ton either. Take the Under.