Recent form is the story in Houston Rockets at New Orleans Pelicans on Friday, February 12. The Rockets have won 4 of their last 5, while the Pelicans have won 0.
How the Win Meter reads
The Win Meter reads the Rockets 62%, with a projected score of Houston Rockets 117, New Orleans Pelicans 114. The rating gap is 188 points in favor of the Rockets, and home court and rest add about 100 rating points for the Pelicans on top of that.
Readings in this range leave plenty of room for the other side. About 38 times in 100 games like this, the Pelicans would win.
The recent-form gap
The Rockets are 3-0 this season and 4-1 in their last 5 games, with an average margin of +3. The Pelicans are 0-3 this season and 0-5 in their last 5 games, with an average margin of -8.4.
The Rockets' best recent win was 128-110 at home against DAL.
The Rockets were beaten 98-78 at home by LAL not long ago.
The Pelicans were beaten 144-118 on the road by BOS not long ago.
Offense against defense
The Rockets score 121 a game and allow 111.3. The Pelicans score 124.7 and allow 128. Pairing each offense with the other defense points to about 124.5 for the Rockets and 118 for the Pelicans, a simple check on the Win Meter's projection.
The Pelicans have been tough to score on, which should slow the Rockets.
The Pelicans should find points against the Rockets' defense, which has been giving up 111.3.
Injuries to watch
Out: Yves Missi (NOP), expected back Nov 2, 2026.
Day to day or questionable: Fred VanVleet (HOU), Steven Adams (HOU), and Marcus Smart (HOU). Their status can change before tip-off.
The season series
In our records of recent meetings, the Rockets lead 7-1, with the Rockets outscoring the Pelicans by an average of 14.5 points per game. The last meeting was HOU 134, NOP 102.