Rockets Begin Their In-Season Tournament, Host Pelicans
Tourney Time. Big Question. Strive for Five.
The Rockets play their first ever In-Season Tournament Game on Friday night, as they host the New Orleans Pelicans. The Pelicans are reeling at the moment, having lost three straight. Zion Williamson didn’t play in their previous game for personal reasons, but he’ll be back in action tonight at Toyota Center. The Pelicans are an even 4-4 on the season. Houston is aiming for their fifth straight victory, after starting the season with an 0-3 record. The Pelicans are without All-Star guard C.J. McCollum, who has a collapsed lung and his timetable to return is uncertain. Regardless, the Pelicans have Zion Williamson, one of the most unstoppable forces in the NBA when he’s healthy. And when he’s played this season, he’s been healthy, creeping closer to achieving the dominant potential that was heaved on him when he arrived in the league. The Rockets will need to work as a team to contain Zion, as Houston aims to hold an opponent under 100 points for the fourth straight game.
The biggest question for the Rockets tonight is Alperen Sengun’s status. He is currently questionable for tonight’s contest after suffering an ankle injury in Houston’s win over the Lakers. If Sengun can play, the Rockets should win tonight. If the big man can’t give it a go, Houston will be tested for the first time all season without Sengun. The Rockets’ center has been the best player so far this season. The best teams find ways to win without their best players. Houston’s shown their lineup is deeper than most expected, and the squad has been playing at a very high, consistent level during this winning streak. Of the teams that currently have a top ten rating on both ends of the floor, the Rockets join only these contenders: the 76ers, Celtics, and defending champion Nuggets.
Houston will look to extend their streak to five as they begin their In-Season Tournament play on Friday night. How does the In-Season Tournament work? To summarize as efficiently as possible, the league created 6 groups of 5 teams each. Each team will play all four group opponents once before moving on the knockout stage. The group stage includes two games at home and on the road for all teams. So essentially, tonight’s contest means little more than the average game. This matchup will count in the regular season standings, but it will also count towards seeing who makes it out of their group. Two teams from each group advance. There will also be two wild-card teams from each conference to ensure there are 16 teams that make it to the knockout round. The Rockets strive for five straight wins tonight, trying to start their tourney play with a victory as the home-stand continues on Friday night.
Toyota Center: Houston, Texas
Jersey Colors:
New Orleans Pelicans (4-4): Navy
Houston Rockets (4-3): “City Edition” White
Tip-Off: 7:00 PM CT
TV: Space City Home Network, NBA League Pass