Houston at New Orleans

Houston has won four in a row and playing better without James Harden than with him at least for the time being. Christian Wood had 22 points and 12 rebounds as the Rockets beat Portland 104-101 on Thursday while coming back from a 20-point first-quarter deficit. New Orleans is in a letdown spot after surprising Milwaukee 131-126 as a 6.6-point underdog. The Pelicans still have lost seven of their last 10 and the other two wins were against Sacramento and Washington. The Pelicans are 3-7 ATS their last 10 games overall and they have covered just two of their last seven home games and they are 3-8 ATS as underdogs. This is a near pick'em game and Houston is gaining confidence with each game. Play the Rockets.