Houston vs. New Orleans. NBA Match Prediction
On December 20, Houston will host New Orleans in a regular NBA championship match. The game will be held at the Toyota Center in Texas. The match will start at 04:00 Moscow time. The Rockets lost to Oklahoma in their previous away game. Will Aime Udoka team be able to rehabilitate themselves in front of their fans in the game against the Pelicans and what bets should they choose? — read our forecast

Command Analysis

Houston Rockets

Current form
Houston has won its last two out of three games. On December 15, the Rockets lost 96-11 to Western Conference leader Oklahoma City on the road. Amen Thompson was the best player on the losing team, scoring 19 points, grabbing seven rebounds and making one assist. Alperen Şengün (13-11-2) had a double-double. Dillon Brooks and Jabari Smith each scored 14 points. Aimee Udoka team (17 wins and nine losses) is in third place in the West.
Disqualifications and injuries
The Rockets will start the game against New Orleans with a fighting squad. The team infirmary is completely empty.
Interesting facts for betting
Houston averages 110 points in games against New Orleans (statistics for the last ten games).
Estimated composition
Fred VanVleet - Jalen Green - Dillon Brooks - Jabari Smith - Alperen Sengun.

New Orleans Pelicans

Current form
New Orleans has lost its last four games in a row. In the game on December 16, the Pelicans lost on the road to Indiana with a score of 104:119. The most productive player on the losing team was Brandon Boston, who scored 20 points, made two rebounds and one assist. Herbert Jones and Dejounte Murray each scored 19 points. Trey Murphy scored 16 points, C.J. McCollum - 15. Willie Green team (five wins and 22 decisions) occupies 15th place in the West.
Disqualifications and injuries
The Pelicans left the trip to Texas with significant losses. The team leading players Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram, Jose Alvarado are still in the infirmary. And also several basketball players from the bench.
Interesting facts for betting
New Orleans averages 114 points in games against Houston (statistics for the last ten games).
The approximate amount is
Dejounte Murray - CJ McCollum - Trey Murphy - Herbert Jones - Eve Missy.
Trends
Bet Total rebounds Missy over 9.5
Missy averages 8.9 rebounds per game.
1.87Murray Total Assists Under 7.5
Murray averages 6.2 assists per game
1.88Tip and bets
Houston approaches the game with New Orleans as a clear favorite. According to bookmaker analysts, the home team will have very little chance of success. And that true. The Louisiana club is setting the most horrific anti-records in the team history this season and there is no light at the end of the tunnel. The Rockets, on the contrary, after several disastrous seasons, are showing excellent results and will finally be expected to make it to the playoffs. Udoka team is capable of winning today over an opponent weakened by injuries.
Our prediction is a Houston victory with a handicap of (-8.5) points, including overtime, at 1.71
Bet on total
Houston and New Orleans have shown decent performance in their head-to-head matches this season. The average score over the last ten games is 224 points. Everything points to the fact that this time both teams will be able to please fans with an attacking and spectacular game.
Our prediction is total over 220.5 points including overtime at 2.05
First quarter bet
Houston has won the first quarter of its last eight games in a row. The Rockets will no doubt do everything possible to achieve victory after an unsuccessful trip to Oklahoma City and rehabilitate themselves in front of their fans. The team from the Lone Star State will show from the first minutes that they are not going to upset their fans and will confidently take the lead in the score.
Our prediction is Houston win in the first quarter at 1.63