Rockets Host Pelicans in First of Home-and-Home
Part 1. Bouncing Back the Birds. Locking In.
Houston hosts the New Orleans Pelicans in the first of two straight games against the birds on Sunday night. These two teams will square off again in The Easy on Tuesday night. The Rockets are coming off a terrible loss to the Spurs, getting demolished, 131-106, in the Alamo City on Friday night. New Orleans has won two consecutive games, both on the road. Houston will aim to stop the Pels’ streak tonight.
After sitting in the 13th/14th spot in the West for most of this season, New Orleans hasn’t snuck up to the 11th seed, and trails Portland by only a half game for the final play-in spot. The Rockets will try and bounce back against the birds, and sent them bouncing back towards the back of the West. Zion Williamson still has yet to play this season for New Orleans. Brandon Ingram on the perimeter, and Jonas Valanciunas in the paint, will be the biggest threats for Houston’s defense. If the Rockets can contain the Pels’ two best players, Houston has a good chance to make it two wins in a row at home.
It’s essential the Rockets lock in on the defensive end if they want any chance of winning the first part of this mini-series against the Pelicans. This game will come down to who plays with more energy and hustle defensively. The Rockets gave up 131 points two nights ago. That can’t happen tonight, or the birds will sweep in and grab their third straight road win. The schedule gets increasingly tougher approaching the break after Sunday night’s billing. This matchup could be Houston’s best chance to grab one more win before the All-Star break.
Toyota Center: Houston, Texas
Jersey Colors:
New Orleans Pelicans (20-32): White “City Edition”
Houston Rockets (15-37): Red
Tip-Off: 6 PM CT
TV: AT&T Sportsnet SW, NBA League Pass