Rockets Visit the Big Easy for Matchup with Pelicans
Surprising Birds. Missing the Mountain. Pit-Stop.
After another disappointing loss at home, the Rockets hit the road for the Big Easy for a matchup with the New Orleans Pelicans. The Pels are on the biggest surprises in the entire league this season, currently playing a game of music chairs with the second and third seed in the West. Zion Williamson is having an MVP-caliber like year, but the young superstar will be on the sidelines tonight. Zion suffered a hamstring injury Monday night for New Orleans, and will be out for a few weeks. Brandon Ingram, their second-best player is also out tonight for the Pelicans. Something of this magnitude would usually be good news for Houston. But if you’ve been watching these Rockets, you know they’re prone to letdowns, especially against less talented groups. There’s some hope: Houston’s lone win against Dallas came when Luka was out, but this Pelicans team is deeper than the Mavs.
The Rockets will need to take care of the basketball, and prevent playing down to their opposition. Houston has the talent to win on Wednesday night, but New Orleans is a more disciplined basketball team. And they’ve got the best player in shooting guard C.J. McCollum. Can the Rockets finally put it together, and grab their second road win in eight days?
Following tonight’s game, Houston returns home to host the Utah Jazz on the second night of a back-to-back. The Rockets have been downright miserable in the latter part of back-to-backs this year. Houston needs to try and snag one of these next two games, as their season is slowly slipping away. As of now, they’ve all but guaranteed themselves a spot in the Victor Wembanyama sweepstakes.
Smoothie King Center: New Orleans, Louisiana
Jersey Colors:
Houston Rockets (10-27): White
New Orleans Pelicans (23-14): Blue
Tip-Off: 7:00 PM CT
TV: AT&T Sportsnet SW, NBA League Pass