Recent form is the story in Houston Rockets at New Orleans Pelicans on Friday, March 19. 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 116, New Orleans Pelicans 113. 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: Steven Adams (HOU), expected back Nov 2, 2026, Marcus Smart (HOU), expected back Oct 28, 2026, Quadir Copeland (HOU), Julian Phillips (HOU), and Yves Missi (NOP), expected back Nov 2, 2026.
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.