Rockets Fly into the Big Easy for Battle with Pelicans
Back Half. Pit Stop. Grinding Season.
The Rockets hit the road grind for the final time in 2023, as they head to the Big Easy to face the New Orleans Pelicans. It’s the second of a back-to-back for Houston, who snapped their three-game losing streak with a win over the Mavericks on Friday night. The Rockets drew a lucky hand with Dallas being so heavily undermanned last night. Tonight’s matchup will be intensely more difficult compared to last night.
New Orleans has won five of their last six games, with the lone loss featuring a Ja Morant buzzer beater to fuel a Grizzlies comeback over the Pels. Zion Williamson has been battling an illness over the previous week, and he’s questionable for tonight’s game. The Rockets won the first matchup between these squads, 104-101, in Houston back on November 10th. CJ McCollum didn’t play in that game, as Houston narrowly edged New Orleans in the first matchup. Unless Zion can’t give it a go, the Pelicans should be at full strength tonight. They’ve also gotten Trey Murphy III back, who didn’t play in the first game in Houston. Murphy III is sneakily on of the most underrated “three and D” threats in the league, and could hurt the Rockets if they don’t respect his talents. The young wing had 28 points to lead the Pels in their previous win, and if Zion is out, except Murphy III to have an even more significant role tonight.
Saturday night marks a quick pit stop on the road for the Rockets. The squad’s currently in the middle of a lengthy home stretch, with tonight’s matchup being the lone road game. It’s the last matchup away from Toyota Center in 2023 for these Rockets. And while they’ve struggled on the road record-wise, they’ve been the unfortunate victims of many bad calls on the road that’s led them to suffer several nail-biting losses. Hopefully tonight’s contest is officiated fairly on both sides. It’s grinding season for the Rockets, as they face one of the toughest teams in the NBA tonight in the Big Easy.
Smoothie King Center: New Orleans, Louisiana
Jersey Colors:
Houston Rockets (14-12): White
New Orleans Pelicans (17-12): Red
Tip-Off: 6:00 PM CT
TV: Space City Network, NBA League Pass