Rockets Shoot For Six in a Row as Pelicans Fly into Town
Hottest Team. Scooting Up. Final Opportunity.
The Houston Rockets are the hottest team in basketball. I didn’t think I’d get to say that all season, but Houston currently holds the NBA’s longest winning streak, at 5 games. And the streak’s on the line tonight as the Rockets face the New Orleans Pelicans for the first time this season. With a win, Houston could move up one spot, and pass New Orleans in the standings. However, these birds have been playing well lately. The Pelicans have won four of their last six games, and their recent schedule hasn’t been the cakewalk which the Rockets have experienced lately. The New Orleans wins has been over the Wizards, Jazz, Clippers, Mavericks… all expected to be in the playoffs when Spring is in the air. The Pels are still without Zion Williamson, who hasn’t played all season due to injury. Reports say he’s nearing a return, but it won’t be tonight in Houston. Jalen Green remains out for the Rockets, and Kevin Porter Jr. will also miss Sunday’s game with a thigh injury. Scoot’s attempted to play through the injury the past two games, but it’s become re-aggravated. Houston has two days off after their matchup with the Pelicans, giving KPJ a chance to possibly return on Wednesday.
For now, more Rockets will have to step up. Porter Jr. is Houston’s main playmaker. In his absence, the Rockets will rely on others to scoot up to playmaking duties. These include the usual suspects, guys like Jae’Sean Tate, Garrison Matthews, Christian Wood, and Eric Gordon. The quartet have carried the Rockets through this winning streak. They’ll need additional help this evening against a New Orleans team starting to find its groove. That means Armoni Brooks, who has thrived in extra minutes, KJ Martin, D.J. Augustin, Josh Christopher, and Daniel House need to step up. Alperen Sengun should also receive more chances to show why he deserves a starting role on this team. The Pelicans best player is Brandon Ingram, but newly acquired Jonas Valanciunas and Devonte’ Graham are having solid years in their first seasons with New Orleans. Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Josh Hart, Willy Hernangomez. and Garrett Temple are other players who could potentially impact tonight’s game. Houston should have enough momentum and talent to win tonight, but they need to keep passing the ball at a high rate and avoid costly turnovers. The Rockets’ free throw shooting has slowly improved over this win streak, along with their assist-to-turnover ratio. If Houston can say efficient in these two areas, they should beat the Pelicans tonight, and keep their win streak alive.
Not to peer too far into the future, but tonight might be Houston’s last chance to add to their winning streak. New Orleans won’t be easy to beat regardless, but the schedule toughens up after tonight. The Rockets host James Harden and the Nets on Wednesday, and then on Friday night, the defending champs, the Milwaukee Bucks, come to town. So essentially, two of the best teams in basketball, and two of the toughest tests of the season, are next on Houston’s slate. The Rockets have played like a different team since the winning streak began. This Pelicans team is much better than their 7-18 record implies. If everyone on Houston’s roster isn’t ready to scoot up to a bigger role, the Rockets’ tough times could begin earlier than anticipated. Once again, at least, Houston has the home crowd on their side tonight. And for now… they’re still the hottest team in basketball.
Toyota Center: Houston, Texas
Jersey Colors:
New Orleans Pelicans (7-18): Red
Houston Rockets (6-16): White
TV: 6 PM CT – AT&T Sportsnet SW, NBA League Pass