Rockets Face Pelicans in the Big Easy to End Road Trip
Final Stop. Mount Zion. Battle for Wembanyama.
Jalen Green and the Rockets close out their four-game road trip tonight with a matchup against Zion Williamson and the upstart New Orleans Pelicans. Houston’s coming off one of their better performances of the season in Toronto, a 116-109 loss in a tight, completive game. Despite the losing effort, the Rockets’ played with more effort than in recent games in this latest loss, almost rallying for a comeback victory. Regardless the result, Houston’s coming off a moral victory in Toronto as they enter the Big Easy looking for a smooth votary to close out what’s been a brutal road stretch for the Rockets. Saturday night’s showdown in New Orleans is Houston’s 8th road game in their last 9 games. Following tonight’s game, the Rockets head back to Texas for two weeks, with a minor pit-stop in Dallas briefly interrupting a much-needed Home-Stand for Houston. Hopefully returning home, combined with a more favorable schedule, will allow the Rockets to pile more than a couple more wins during this upcoming home-stretch.
After another injury-riddled season last year, the face of the Pelicans’ franchise, Zion Williamson, is back at full strength this season. His defense has been questionable at times, but that will improve with work ethic and determination. This season, Zion is averaging 23 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists a night. New Orleans is coming off a loss to the surprisingly hot Portland Trail Blazers, 106-95, in their previous contest, where Zion Williamson scored 29 points on an impressively efficient 9-for-14 shooting effort. Alperen Sengun, Jabari Smith Jr. and Tari Eason’s hands will be fuller than Thanksgiving Dinner trying to contain Williamson. Zion is by is a dominant force in the paint, and look for the Duke-phenom to exploit Houston’s lack of strength in the paint. Sengun should put Zion in the spin-cycle on the offensive end for the Rockets, but he’s going to need assistance on defense against one of the NBA’s most explosive athletes.
However, the key to tonight’s game is stopping Jonas Valanciunas. New Orleans’ other big man has dominated the Rockets over his career. Expect the veteran to possibly even outshine Zion tonight. If Houston’s game-plan is centered on controlling Zion Williamson, then the Rockets are in trouble. Valanciunas will likely get the opportunities he salivates at when he gets to utilize his massive frame to overpower Houston in the paint, which he’s seemingly done from his entire career. In order for Houston to upset the Pelicans in the Big Easy, they have to control the ball, avoid costly turnovers, and limit Zion Williamson’s transitional opportunities. C.J. McCollum and Brandon Ingram are All-Star-caliber players on the perimeter for the Pelicans. If controlling Zion wasn’t enough of a headache, these two slashers are off to great starts to their respective seasons, and if they’re on their game, Houston’s in trouble tonight. Jae’Sean Tate and Bruno Fernando remain out for tonight for the Rockets, therefore providing further chances for the likes of KJ Martin, Eason, Garrison Mathews, and Josh Christopher. After playing limited minutes to start the season, Christopher hasn’t played in the last three games for Houston. Tonight’s a prefect night for Stephen Silas to instill more trust in Christopher by giving him an uptick in minutes.
Believe it or not, but tonight’s a mini-battle in the Salivating Stakes for Victor Wembanyama. Due to past trades, the Pelicans own the Lakers pick if they finish in with one of worst 5 record this season. As of now, L.A. is tied with the Rockets for the worst record in the NBA, at 2-10. And according to the most recent predictions, the Rockets and Pelicans currently have the best chance to land the most hyped player since LeBron James, in France’s Wembanyama. It’s still early to go in the season, but after a dozen games, Houston’s still figuring out the rebuilding process, and will likely be one of the favorites to land the French phenom. It would be a long shot, and it’s out of New Orlean’s control. If the Lakers continue to mightily struggle, the Pelicans could sneakily be in the Wembanyama Stakes as well. For now, both the Rockets are Pelicans are two of the league’s best offensive rebounding teams. Whoever crashes the glass with more intensity should win tonight’s game, unless Mount Zion moves mountains, and keeps the Smoothie King Center rocking… which poses a potential long climb to victory for the Rockets. Regardless, strap up, we should be in for an exciting battle tonight in New Orleans.
Smoothie King Center: New Orleans, Louisiana
Jersey Colors:
Houston Rockets (2-10): Red
New Orleans Pelicans (6-6): White
Tip-Off: 7:30 PM CT
TV: AT&T Sportsnet SW, NBA League Pass