Pelicans vs. Rockets: Prediction, Starters, Bets & Odds, 11/10

HOUSTON - The New Orleans Pelicans (4-4) will face a young and confident Houston Rockets (4-3) team in their first In-Season Tournament action at 7 PM CT in Toyota Center on Friday, Nov. 10. An understaffed New Orleans squad lost its third-straight game to Minnesota on Wednesday night, falling 122-101 without star players Zion Williamson and CJ McCollum in the lineup.

As CJ McCollum (right lung) is out, Zion Williamson (personal reasons), and Herb Jones (right fibula) are officially questionable availability for tonight's contest, Willie Green must piece together a productive unit. The starters from the previous game - G Dyson Daniels, G Jordan Hawkins, F Brandon Ingram, F Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, and C Jonas Valanciunas - will most likely start against Houston.

Ime Udoka's Rockets are riding a four-game winning streak after starting the season 0-3. Houston is 4-1 at home this season, hoping to stay above .500 since Feb. 4, 2021. They are dangerous, with a +71-point differential in the most six games. During the victories, Houston has won by a margin of 18 points. The Rockets are 4-1 in games in which they have led by 10+ points.

It will be another game of attrition for the Pelicans. For New Orleans to have a chance, they must come out aggressive and at least lead or tie the Rockets at the end of the third quarter. Why? One, the third is the worst quarter for the Pelicans this season. Second, Houston has lost a pair of games when tied or trailing after three quarters.

THE PROJECTED STARTING LINEUPS

NEW ORLEANS

G Dyson Daniels, G Jordan Hawkins, F Brandon Ingram, F Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, and C Jonas Valanciunas
Leading Scorers: Williamson (21.8 points), McCollum (21.7 points), Ingram (21.4 points)

HOUSTON

F Dillon Brooks, F Jabari Smith Jr., C Alperen Sengun, G Jalen Smith, G Fred VanVleet, and sixth-man Jea'Sean Tate.
Leading Scorers: Green (19.6 points), Sengun (18.3 points), VanVleet (15.6 points)

GAME INFO

Game: New Orleans Pelicans vs Houston Rockets
About: In-Season Tournament Game #1
Date: Friday, Nov. 10, 2023
Time: 7 PM CT
Location: Toyota Center in Houston, TX
TV: Ballys Sports, Space City Home Network

Odds/Betting from SI Sportsbook

New Orleans (+2.5); Houston opened as 1-point underdogs by the Vegas oddsmakers; Now the Rockets are -2.5 favorites with McCollum, Williamson, and Jones all possibly missing the match.
Over/Under = 218.5.
Money Line = +110 New Orleans, -150 Houston
1st Half Total Points = 106.5
1st Half Point Spread = 0.5 New Orleans, -0.5 Houston

*SI Sportsbook

PREDICTION

Houston 120, New Orleans 110