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Pelicans vs. Rockets prediction: Houston to win, Kevin Durant projected for big game in Friday's NBA matchup [3/13/2026]
Updated: | First published:
Written by Jason Bevilacqua, Head of Content and Communities
Get New Orleans Pelicans vs Houston Rockets predictions for NBA Friday.
The Houston Rockets and New Orleans Pelicans are scheduled to meet in NBA action at Toyota Center on Friday, starting at 8:00 PM ET.
Based on the latest simulations and today’s injury news, Dimers' proven NBA model predicts the Rockets as the most likely winner of the Pelicans vs. Rockets game.
This prediction follows the latest NBA Injury Report, which suggests the Rockets lineup will feature stars like Kevin Durant, Amen Thompson and Reed Sheppard, while the Pelicans will rely on Trey Murphy, Zion Williamson and Saddiq Bey.
This article offers further insights into Friday's matchup, including an expanded look at the predicted score, best bets and player prop picks.
Pelicans vs. Rockets prediction: Who will win and cover?
Using trusted machine learning and data, we have simulated the result of Friday's NBA matchup between the Pelicans and Rockets 10,000 times as part of our NBA predictions coverage.
Our independent predictive model currently gives the Rockets a 67% chance of beating the Pelicans. Our predicted final score has the Rockets winning 117-112.
According to our model, the Pelicans (+5.5) have a 52% chance of covering the spread, while the over/under total of 230.5 points has a 51% chance of staying under.
Pelicans vs. Rockets odds
We have sourced the best NBA odds in America for this game, which are listed here:
| Bet Type | Pelicans | Rockets |
|---|---|---|
| Spread | +5.5 (-108) | -5.5 (-110) |
| Moneyline | +190 | -220 |
| Total | o230.5 (-110) | u230.5 (-108) |
All odds are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change.
Pelicans vs. Rockets picks and best bet
After matching our predictions against the best available odds, we can reveal our picks for each of the major markets. Plus, find our best bet for the game below:
| Bet Type | Pick | Bet Now |
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Pelicans +5.5 | -108 |
| Moneyline | Pelicans | +190 |
| Total | Under 230.5 | -108 |
According to our best NBA bets for Friday, the top play to make on this game is Pelicans +5.5 at the spread.
These picks are based on our probabilities matched against the implied probabilities from the sportsbook odds.
Pelicans vs. Rockets player props
Betting on Pelicans vs. Rockets NBA prop bets? We have crunched the numbers to project how each team's leading players will perform at Toyota Center.
Trey Murphy is expected to lead the Pelicans with 25 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists, while Kevin Durant is projected to have 29 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists for the Rockets.
Check out our NBA player projections for a full range of projected box scores, including points, assists, rebounds and today's NBA first basket picks.
Pelicans prediction
Our model's projected player stats for the Pelicans are:
| Player | PTS | REB | AST | 3PM | DFS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trey Murphy | 25 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 44 |
| Zion Williamson | 21 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 37 |
| Saddiq Bey | 18 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 32 |
| Dejounte Murray | 17 | 6 | 6 | 2 | 39 |
| Herbert Jones | 9 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 23 |
Rockets prediction
Projected points, rebounds, assists and three-pointers made for the Rockets:
| Player | PTS | REB | AST | 3PM | DFS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kevin Durant | 29 | 6 | 5 | 3 | 51 |
| Amen Thompson | 20 | 8 | 6 | 0 | 45 |
| Reed Sheppard | 17 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 35 |
| Jabari Smith | 15 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 33 |
| Tari Eason | 14 | 7 | 2 | 2 | 32 |
Pelicans vs. Rockets game-day updates and essential details
Friday's game between the Rockets and Pelicans at Toyota Center is scheduled to commence at 8:00 PM ET.
- Who: New Orleans Pelicans vs. Houston Rockets
- Date: Friday, March 13, 2026
- Time: 8:00 PM ET/5:00PM PT
- Venue: Toyota Center
Conclusion
We predict the Rockets, with a 67% win probability, will likely beat the Pelicans on Friday, with Kevin Durant projected for a game-high 51 fantasy points.
AI and automation have enhanced this article to quickly deliver accurate Pelicans vs. Rockets insights, with human oversight ensuring high editorial quality. Our predictions are based on up-to-date data to help you make informed decisions. For additional resources and advice on responsible gambling, please call 1-800-GAMBLER.
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Jason Bevilacqua, an expert in MLB, NHL, NBA, MLS, and NFL, delivers game previews, best bets, and props. Since 2020, as Head of Social and Community at Dimers, he has contributed insightful articles utilizing data-driven models and simulations.
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