With vacation cheer within the rearview mirror, the struggling New Orleans Pelicans host the red-hot Houston Rockets in a battle of Southwest division rivals. Houston is available in on a three-game profitable streak and holds the No. 2 seed within the Western Convention playoff race, whereas the Pelicans are trapped in a seven-game shedding streak and are nonetheless searching for their first-round win. division of the season.
These two groups met only a week in the past, when the Rockets dominated the Pelicans in Houston, 133-113. The Pelicans want to seek out solutions shortly to keep away from one other lopsided consequence.
Who’s in, who’s out
New Orleans continues to battle the harm bug. Trey Murphy III is questionable for Thursday after injuring his ankle in Sunday’s loss to the Denver Nuggets, with Javonte Inexperienced additionally listed as questionable. The Pelicans might be with out a number of key gamers, together with Brandon Ingram, Zion Williamson, Jose Alvarado and Karlo Matkovic; though Williamson and Alvarado are transferring nearer to returning.
The Rockets might be with out Dillon Brooks, who scored 27 final sport, and Tari Eason is questionable, however the Rockets have a deep roster that’s greater than able to stepping up of their absence. Amen Thompson began instead of Brooks on Monday and contributed stable minutes in a Houston win over the Charlotte Hornets.
What to look at
- Jordan Hawkins warms up: After scoring a game-high 25 factors in opposition to Denver on Sunday, Hawkins could must tackle a good larger function offensively with so many Pelicans sidelined. The second-year guard has proven flashes of brilliance this season, and one other sturdy efficiency may give New Orleans a much-needed increase.
- Houston’s defensive dominance: The Rockets have among the finest defenses within the NBA, permitting simply 106.3 factors per sport (third within the league) and posting the second-best defensive ranking within the league (105.4). Houston ranks prime 5 in defensive rebounds and prime ten in blocked pictures. In addition they do an important job of stopping groups in transition, permitting simply 11.8 quick break factors per sport.
- The Pelicans’ struggles within the division: New Orleans is winless in 4 video games in opposition to Southwest Division opponents, and Thursday marks the primary of back-to-back division matchups with Memphis on deck Friday.
- Houston recently: 7-3 of their final 10 video games, averaging 111.0 factors and holding opponents to simply 108.1 factors per sport.
- Pelicans recently: 1-9 of their final 10 video games, permitting 120.5 factors per sport whereas scoring simply 109.6.
- Clutch play: The Rockets are tied for the third-best document within the NBA (10-6) this season, whereas the Pelicans proceed to falter in late-game conditions.
Sport key
New Orleans should discover a method to restrict Houston’s transition alternatives and drive the Rockets to play within the half courtroom. The Pelicans will even want huge contributions from their function gamers to have any likelihood of pulling off the upset.
Most up-to-date beginning lineups
| Houston Rockets | New Orleans Pelicans |
| G – Fred VanVleet | G – Dejounte Murray |
| G – Inexperienced Jalen | G – CJ McCollum |
| F-Amen Thompson | F-Herb Jones |
| F – Jabari Smith Jr. | F-Trey Murphy |
| C – Alperen Sengun | C-Yves Missi |
Accidents
Houston Rockets: Tari Eason (leg) is QUESTIONABLE. Dillon Brooks (ankle) is OUT.
New Orleans Pelicans: Javonte Inexperienced (proper knee soreness) and Trey Murphy (left ankle sprain) are QUESTIONABLE. Jose Alvarado (left hamstring pressure), Brandon Ingram (left ankle sprain), Karlo Matkovic (decrease again disc protrusion) and Zion Williamson (left hamstring pressure) are OUT.
WHO: New Orleans Pelicans (5-25) vs. Houston Rockets (20-9)
Season Sequence:
- December 19: Rockets def. Pelicans, 133-113
- December 26: Pelicans vs. Rockets
- March 6: Pelicans vs. Rockets
- March 8: Pelicans @ Rockets
Historical past of the collection: The Pelicans are 38-45 all-time in opposition to the Houston Rockets. New Orleans has misplaced three of the final 5 video games within the collection, however gained the earlier assembly on the Smoothie King Heart, 127-105, on February 22.
Or: Smoothie King Heart
When: December 26, 7:00 p.m. CST
The place to look at: Gulf Coast Sports activities and Leisure Community, Pelicans+
The place to hear: WWL Radio 870 AM
For extra content material, go to Sports activities HITP on YouTube or Sports activities HITP on-line.
LEARN MORE
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