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Rockets vs. Pelicans prediction: Houston to win, Kevin Durant projected for big game in Sunday's NBA matchup [3/29/2026]
Updated: | First published:
Written by Jason Bevilacqua, Head of Content and Communities
Get Houston Rockets vs New Orleans Pelicans predictions for NBA Sunday.
The New Orleans Pelicans and Houston Rockets will lock horns in NBA action at Smoothie King Center on Sunday, with tipoff at 7:00 PM ET.
Based on the latest simulation results and today’s injury news, Dimers' proven NBA model projects the Rockets as the most likely winner of the Rockets vs. Pelicans game.
This prediction follows the latest NBA Injury Report, which suggests the Pelicans lineup will feature stars like Zion Williamson, Saddiq Bey and Dejounte Murray, while the Rockets will look to Kevin Durant, Alperen Sengun and Amen Thompson.
This article offers a closer look at Sunday's matchup, including an expanded look at the predicted score, best bets and player prop picks.
Rockets vs. Pelicans prediction: Who will win and cover?
Using trusted machine learning and data analysis, we have simulated the outcome of Sunday's NBA matchup between the Rockets and Pelicans, forming part of our NBA predictions coverage.
Our famous predictive model gives the Rockets a 68% chance of defeating the Pelicans. Our predicted final score has the Rockets winning 115-110.
According to our model, the Pelicans (+5.5) have a 54% chance of covering the spread, while the over/under total of 226.5 points has a 51% chance of staying under.
Rockets vs. Pelicans odds
We have researched the best NBA odds in America for this game, which are listed here:
| Bet Type | Rockets | Pelicans |
|---|---|---|
| Spread | -5.5 (-112) | +5.5 (-105) |
| Moneyline | -220 | +205 |
| Total | o226.5 (-105) | u226.5 (-110) |
All odds are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change.
Rockets vs. Pelicans picks and best bet
After matching our probabilities 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 | -105 |
| Moneyline | Pelicans | +205 |
| Total | Under 226.5 | -110 |
According to our best NBA bets for Sunday, 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.
Rockets vs. Pelicans player props
Betting on Houston vs. New Orleans NBA prop bets? We use the best information available to project how each team's leading players will perform at Smoothie King Center.
Kevin Durant is expected to lead the Rockets with 27 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists, while Zion Williamson is projected to have 21 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists for the Pelicans.
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.
Rockets prediction
Our model's projected player stats for the Rockets are:
| Player | PTS | REB | AST | 3PM | DFS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kevin Durant | 27 | 6 | 5 | 2 | 48 |
| Alperen Sengun | 20 | 9 | 6 | 0 | 46 |
| Amen Thompson | 20 | 9 | 5 | 0 | 44 |
| Jabari Smith | 16 | 7 | 3 | 2 | 34 |
| Reed Sheppard | 15 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 33 |
Pelicans prediction
Projected points, rebounds, assists and three-pointers made for the Pelicans:
| Player | PTS | REB | AST | 3PM | DFS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zion Williamson | 21 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 36 |
| Saddiq Bey | 19 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 33 |
| Dejounte Murray | 17 | 5 | 6 | 2 | 37 |
| Jeremiah Fears | 12 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 26 |
| Herbert Jones | 10 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 23 |
Rockets vs. Pelicans game-day updates and essential details
Sunday's game between the Pelicans and Rockets at Smoothie King Center is scheduled to commence at 7:00 PM ET.
- Who: Houston Rockets vs. New Orleans Pelicans
- Date: Sunday, March 29, 2026
- Time: 7:00 PM ET/4:00PM PT
- Venue: Smoothie King Center
Conclusion
We predict the Rockets, with a 68% win probability, will likely beat the Pelicans on Sunday, with Kevin Durant projected for a game-high 48 fantasy points.
AI and automation have enhanced this article to quickly deliver accurate Rockets vs. Pelicans insights, with human oversight ensuring high editorial quality. Our predictions are based on the latest data to help you make informed decisions. For additional resources and advice, head to our responsible gambling hub.
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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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