Rockets Visit Pelicans in New Orleans to End Road Trip
The Big Easy? The Villain’s Void. The Closer.
The Houston Rockets resume action on Thursday night, as the squad closes a three-game road trip with a visit to the Big Easy to battle the Pelicans. The Rockets did return home after their previous game, a win in Charlotte on Monday night, for a brief two-day break for the team over the holidays. So tonight’s game shouldn’t be as difficult as when a team is on the road for an extended period of time… or will it? After missing the last game, Dillon Brooks is out once again tonight with an injury as he’s dealing with ankle soreness. And Tari Eason is listed as questionable due to left lower leg injury management, the same tag that’s kept him sidelined for Houston’s last three games. And given the Pelicans aren’t exactly a basketball juggernaut at the moment, there’s a solid chance coach Ime Udoka rests Eason once again tonight. Which means players like Cam Whitmore, Jae’Sean Tate, and Aaron Holiday, who have all played brilliantly over the last couple games, will need to show up once again. And other than Whitmore, who should soon see regular rotational minutes, Tate and Holiday are respected members of Houston’s “Stay Ready Crew.” Expect these three to be ready to fill the voids of Brooks and, if necessary, Eason. The Rockets have shown resiliency we haven’t seen from this team since the prime James Harden years. Houston boasts a 20-9 record, good for second place in the brutally tough Western Conference. And tonight, they’re facing the worst team in the West, in these Pelicans, who currently have a 5-25 record.
Entering tonight’s matchup, New Orleans is sliding on a seven-game losing streak. And the Pels’ have lost fifteen of their last sixteen games overall. Although their latest loss came in close fashion to the Denver Nuggets in overtime on Sunday night, in this same building where tonight’s matchup is taking place, the Smoothie King Center. Despite their record, the Pelicans still have a few All-Star caliber players who can light up the scoreboard. Dejounte Murray usually plays well against Houston, and he nearly recorded a triple double in New Orleans’ last game against Denver, which included dishing out 15 assists. CJ McCollum is another guard who is familiar with torching the Rockets. Trey Murphy III is questionable for the Pelicans after leaving their previous game against the Nuggets with an ankle injury. He did not return to the contest, so his status tonight could be a game-time decision, and one with potentially huge impact on this matchup. Murphy II registered 21 points and 8 boards before exiting with an injury against Denver. He’s arguably the third-best player for New Orleans, if he’s available behind Murray and McCollum.
Both teams may be feeling some holiday rust tonight. The Rockets received a nice couple days of rest over Christmas, and haven’t played since Monday. New Orleans has had even more time off. The Pelicans haven’t played since Sunday, a mini three-day break for a team that’s all but mathematically eliminated from playoff contention. These teams just met exactly a week ago back in Houston, as the Rockets topped the Pelicans, 133-113, in relatively easy fashion. Tonight’s matchup is in the Big Easy. But will beating New Orleans this time around be as easy for these Rockets as it was in Houston? Brooks not only played in the previous meeting between these teams, he scored 20 points in the first half to pace the Rockets to a blowout victory. His absence will be felt tonight, but just how much is unknown. Expect another big performance off the bench from Cam Whitmore, who seems to have finally found his stride, given an opportunity to receive substantial playing time over the last couple games. Tonight’s tilt in the Big Easy is the final road game for Houston for almost two weeks. After this matchup with the Pels, the Rockets will return to Houston for a five-game home-stand. Hopefully, the squad doesn’t overlook this New Orleans team that is sick and tired of losing. If the Rockets can fill the void of Brooks and Eason’s absence, they should be able to continue their winning ways in the Big Easy, and toss their fans another gift on the day after Christmas.
Smoothie King Center: New Orleans, Louisiana
Jersey Colors:
Houston Rockets (20-9): Black
New Orleans Pelicans (5-25): White
Tip-Off: 7:00 PM CT
TV: Space City Home Network, NBA League Pass