The Pelicans have lost three straight, may be without Zion Williamson and Herb Jones, and are not playing with any sense of urgency on the defensive end. Houston is a .500 team over 82 games, I believe, and is 17-8 at home. Rockets to the moon!

Zion Williamson was just added to the injury report as questionable and defensive stud Herb Jones was already on it with that designation. I can't remember a time where Zion played when downgraded on the same day. The Rockets seemed to get their home mojo back Monday in trashing the Lakers. Houston leads this season series 2-0 despite Zion averaging 26.0 points and 8.0 rebounds in the two.

Two meetings already between these sides this season, both narrow Houston wins but also pacing much slower than this rather-aggressive "total" in the low 230s suggests tonight at Toyota Center. The Pels were at full strength with Zion Williamson in the fold for both of those meetings, but Houston has proper defensive matchups for New Orleans, with Dillon Brooks in particular coming in handy vs. Brandon Ingram, who had a tougher time in the second meeting after hitting for 31 in the November 10 game. Expect the recent series "totals" trends to hold tonight after the first two meetings landed only 205 and 210, respectively. Play Pelicans-Rockets "Under"