Rockets Look to Start Season Strong Against Improved Western Foe
The Rockets have won 11 of their last 14 games against the Pelicans, including 13 of the their last 14 between the two teams at Toyota Center. That recent history should mean little, as this is a revamped and much-improved Pelicans team from a year ago. This new-look Pelicans squad that flourished at the end of last season after All-Star DeMarcus Cousins’ was lost to a season-ending injury has seen several key changes. They let Cousins go in free agency, giving arguably the league’s best player when healthy, Anthony Davis, more freedom to operate as he played more efficiently after Cousins suffered an injury. This comes as no surprise, considering the Pelcians’ strong finish after his injury and their sweep of the Portland Trailblazers in the first round of the Western Conference last year that was the biggest shocker of the entire playoffs. They also lost starting veteran point guard Rajon Rondo to the Los Angeles lakers and added Elfrid Payton from the Orlando Magic, who has shown signs of competency in spurts but is more recognizable for sporting the most unique hairstyle in the NBA, something that hopefully won’t distract the Rockets’ backcourt depth they added in the offseason. The Pelicans also added Wesley Johnson from the Clippers, whose ankles Harden “broke” for everyone to witness on national television last season in one of the Beard’s deadliest displays of his patent step-back crossover. Jrue Holiday is one of the most underrated point guards in the NBA right now and shut down the Blazers star guard Damian Lillard in their sweep of the Blazers last season. He will provide an instant early test for the Rockets’ newest additions to their backcourt, and his solid defense will keep the backcourt focused, hopefully preventing the slow start for new acquisitions to the team, as they will have to prove themselves in the first game of the season to avoid being shown up by the underrated Holiday. Anthony Davis may be the best big man in the NBA, but Clint Capela is ready for any challenge this season as he looks to become an All-Star for the first time in his career. This game is the perfect statement game for the Rockets big man to start the season off strong. It should be a good one, AD usually plays well against us, and this season will be no different, unless he suffers an unfortunate season-ending injury at Toyota Center, which happened to his ex-fellow teammate and All-Star DeMarcus Cousins the last time these teams met at Toyota Center. Also, James Harden will receive his MVP award from Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta before the game. An award he’s been worthy of for at years. Let’s just hope he doesn’t treat it like a “ring night” and come out lackadaisical. Tip-off is at 7 PM CT. Catch the game locally on ATT Sportsnet, nationally on ESPN, or better yet, come check out all the excitement of opening night in person at Toyota Center. The Liftoff party outside the arena starts at 4:30. Doors to the arena open at 5:30. The first 3K fans will receive a James Harden MVP bobblehead, one of the more unique ones I’ve seen. Get ready for the start to what should an epic season of Rockets basketball.
Toyota Center – Houston, Texas
7 PM CT ESPN, ATT Sportsnet