Rockets Defeat Pelicans 119-110 at Home
Sunday, January 18, 2026, 7:00 PM ET · Toyota Center (Houston)
Houston Rockets 119, New Orleans Pelicans 110, final. Our NBA picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.
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Quick answers
Who won New Orleans Pelicans vs Houston Rockets?
Houston Rockets beat New Orleans Pelicans 119-110 at Toyota Center (Houston) on January 18, 2026.
Who was favored in New Orleans Pelicans vs Houston Rockets?
Houston Rockets were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -850 (about 89% implied). The favorite won.
The Houston Rockets secured a 119-110 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans at the Toyota Center, marking a significant win for the Rockets as they look to solidify their position in the NBA standings. This matchup was particularly noteworthy as it tied the season series at 1-1, following the Pelicans' earlier win against the Rockets on December 19, 2025, where they triumphed 133-128.
Entering this game, the Rockets held a home record of 25-15, while the Pelicans struggled with a 10-35 record on the season. The Rockets had been inconsistent in their recent form, posting a 5-5 record over their last ten games, with an average of 107.5 points scored and 107.6 points allowed. They were coming off a win against the Minnesota Timberwolves, where they secured a 110-105 victory. Conversely, the Pelicans had a dismal 2-8 record in their last ten outings, averaging 113.3 points scored but allowing 120.6 points, indicating significant defensive struggles.
The Rockets' home performance has been notably stronger, with a 4-1 record at home in their last five games, while the Pelicans have only managed a 1-5 record in their recent away games. The Rockets' scoring average at home has been slightly lower than their overall average, but they have managed to maintain a competitive edge in their home games. The Pelicans, on the other hand, have faced difficulties on the road, further exacerbated by their recent form.
In terms of injuries, the Rockets had several key players listed as day-to-day, including Kevin Durant, Fred VanVleet, and Steven Adams, all of whom were dealing with various ailments. The Pelicans also had Micah Peavy and Bryce McGowens listed as day-to-day, which could have impacted their rotation and overall performance.
The betting market reflected the disparity between the two teams, with DraftKings setting the spread at Houston -13.5, indicating a strong expectation for the Rockets to win by a significant margin. The total for the game was set at 232.5, reflecting an anticipated high-scoring affair.
As the game unfolded, the Rockets maintained control, leveraging their home advantage to secure the win. Key scoring plays included Kevin Durant's contributions, which were pivotal in the fourth quarter, as he made crucial free throws and a two-point shot to help seal the victory. The Pelicans attempted to rally, with Zion Williamson making significant plays, including a layup and a free throw, but ultimately fell short in their comeback efforts.
This game showcased the Rockets' ability to capitalize on their home court and highlighted the challenges faced by the Pelicans as they continue to seek consistency in a difficult season. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how both teams adapt in their upcoming games, especially considering the injury statuses and the implications of this matchup on their respective seasons.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | HOU -13.5 | 232.5 o -112 / u -108 | New Orleans Pelicans +575 · Houston Rockets -850 |
Injury report
- Kevin DurantDay-To-DayAnkleHouston Rockets
- Fred VanVleetDay-To-DayKneeHouston Rockets
- Steven AdamsDay-To-DayAnkleHouston Rockets
- Micah PeavyDay-To-DayRestNew Orleans Pelicans
- Bryce McGowensDay-To-DayToeNew Orleans Pelicans
Leaders
- PointsJabari Smith Jr.32Houston Rockets
- AssistsKevin Durant8Houston Rockets
- ReboundsSteven Adams10Houston Rockets
- PointsTrey Murphy III21New Orleans Pelicans
- AssistsDerik Queen5New Orleans Pelicans
- ReboundsZion Williamson6New Orleans Pelicans
Recent form
Houston Rockets
Last 10: 5-5Streak W1107.5 scored · 107.6 allowed per game4-1 at home
- W110-105vs Minnesota TimberwolvesJan 17
- L91-111vs Oklahoma City ThunderJan 16
- W119-113vs Chicago BullsJan 14
- L98-111at Sacramento KingsJan 12
- L105-111at Portland Trail BlazersJan 10
- L102-103at Portland Trail BlazersJan 8
- W100-97vs Phoenix SunsJan 6
- L104-110at Dallas MavericksJan 4
- W120-96at Brooklyn NetsJan 1
- W126-119vs Indiana PacersDec 30
New Orleans Pelicans
Last 10: 2-8Streak L1113.3 scored · 120.6 allowed per game1-5 away
- L119-127at Indiana PacersJan 17
- W116-113vs Brooklyn NetsJan 15
- L116-122vs Denver NuggetsJan 14
- L118-128at Orlando MagicJan 11
- W128-107at Washington WizardsJan 10
- L100-117at Atlanta HawksJan 8
- L103-111vs Los Angeles LakersJan 7
- L106-125at Miami HeatJan 4
- L109-122vs Portland Trail BlazersJan 3
- L118-134at Chicago BullsJan 1
Standings
| Team | Games behind | Lost | Streak | Win % | Won |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Antonio | - | 20 | L1 | .756 | 62 |
| Houston | 10 | 30 | W1 | .634 | 52 |
| New Orleans | 36 | 56 | L2 | .317 | 26 |
| Dallas | 36 | 56 | W1 | .317 | 26 |
| Memphis | 37 | 57 | L8 | .305 | 25 |
Box score
| Stat | New Orleans Pelicans | Houston Rockets |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 44-88 | 45-90 |
| Field goal % | 50 | 50 |
| Three-pointers | 10-26 | 13-36 |
| Three-point % | 38 | 36 |
| Free throws | 12-15 | 16-22 |
| Free throw % | 80 | 73 |
| Rebounds | 39 | 47 |
| Offensive rebounds | 10 | 17 |
| Defensive rebounds | 29 | 30 |
| Assists | 27 | 22 |
| Steals | 10 | 9 |
| Blocks | 5 | 4 |
| Turnovers | 13 | 15 |
| Team turnovers | 1 | 0 |
| Technical fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls, total | 0 | 0 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 21 | 14 |
| Fast-break points | 17 | 13 |
| Points in the paint | 64 | 58 |
| Fouls | 16 | 12 |
| Largest lead | 3 | 19 |
| Lead changes | 6 | 6 |
| Time in front | 5 | 90 |
How the scoring went
- 3rd Quarter73-83Trey Murphy III makes 25-foot three point jumper (Micah Peavy assists)
- 3rd Quarter74-83Trey Murphy III makes free throw 1 of 2
- 3rd Quarter75-83Trey Murphy III makes free throw 2 of 2
- 3rd Quarter75-85Amen Thompson makes tip in dunk
- 3rd Quarter77-85Jeremiah Fears makes two point shot (Micah Peavy assists)
- 3rd Quarter80-85Micah Peavy makes 27-foot three point jumper (Jeremiah Fears assists)
- 3rd Quarter80-86Kevin Durant makes free throw 1 of 2
- 3rd Quarter80-87Kevin Durant makes free throw 2 of 2
- 4th Quarter80-89Alperen Sengun makes 13-foot two point shot
- 4th Quarter81-89Zion Williamson makes free throw 1 of 2
- 4th Quarter84-89Saddiq Bey makes 22-foot running jump shot (Zion Williamson assists)
- 4th Quarter84-91Jabari Smith Jr. makes 14-foot jumper (Reed Sheppard assists)
- 4th Quarter86-91Zion Williamson makes 10-foot two point shot (Derik Queen assists)
- 4th Quarter86-94Reed Sheppard makes 26-foot three point jumper (Amen Thompson assists)
- 4th Quarter88-94Zion Williamson makes driving layup (Jordan Hawkins assists)
- 4th Quarter88-96Alperen Sengun makes 9-foot two point shot
- 4th Quarter88-97Jabari Smith Jr. makes free throw 1 of 2
- 4th Quarter88-98Jabari Smith Jr. makes free throw 2 of 2
- 4th Quarter90-98Zion Williamson makes driving layup
- 4th Quarter90-100Dorian Finney-Smith makes driving layup (Alperen Sengun assists)
- 4th Quarter90-101Dorian Finney-Smith makes free throw 1 of 1
- 4th Quarter90-104Jabari Smith Jr. makes 25-foot three point jumper (Amen Thompson assists)
- 4th Quarter90-106Dorian Finney-Smith makes tip shot
- 4th Quarter90-109Jabari Smith Jr. makes 26-foot three point jumper (Kevin Durant assists)
- 4th Quarter92-109Yves Missi makes 6-foot two point shot (Trey Murphy III assists)
- 4th Quarter94-109Micah Peavy makes 2-foot running dunk
- 4th Quarter94-112Dorian Finney-Smith makes 26-foot three point jumper (Josh Okogie assists)
- 4th Quarter96-112Jordan Poole makes 6-foot two point shot
- 4th Quarter97-112Jordan Poole makes free throw 1 of 1
- 4th Quarter100-112Jordan Poole makes 27-foot three point jumper (Micah Peavy assists)
- 4th Quarter102-112Yves Missi makes driving layup (Trey Murphy III assists)
- 4th Quarter102-114Alperen Sengun makes 6-foot two point shot
- 4th Quarter102-116Kevin Durant makes 12-foot two point shot
- 4th Quarter104-116Zion Williamson makes 2-foot layup (Trey Murphy III assists)
- 4th Quarter105-116Zion Williamson makes free throw 1 of 1
- 4th Quarter108-116Jordan Poole makes 27-foot three point jumper (Zion Williamson assists)
- 4th Quarter108-117Kevin Durant makes free throw 1 of 2
- 4th Quarter108-118Kevin Durant makes free throw 2 of 2
- 4th Quarter110-118Jordan Poole makes 5-foot two point shot
- 4th Quarter110-119Josh Okogie makes free throw 1 of 2
Win probability
Above the line favours Houston Rockets, below favours New Orleans Pelicans.
Venue
- Toyota Center (Houston)Houston, TX
- Attendance18055
- OfficialsDerrick Collins, J.B. DeRosa, Nate Green
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These two, other days
- Rockets Dominate Pelicans in Convincing WinMar 29, 2026
- Rockets Edge Pelicans in Close ContestMar 13, 2026
- Pelicans Edge Rockets in Overtime ThrillerDec 18, 2025
- Rockets Edge Pelicans in Thrilling FinishOct 14, 2025