After enduring four consecutive seasons without making the playoffs, the Houston Rockets are set to capitalize on their surprising appearance in the NBA Cup semifinals, a run that ended with a 111-96 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder last Saturday in Las Vegas.
Houston Rockets:
- Upcoming Game: The Rockets will host the New Orleans Pelicans on Thursday, looking to build on the momentum generated by their strong performance in the early part of the season.
- Schedule Break: Their NBA Cup performance also provided a break in their schedule, allowing them to play only three games since December 8 before the Pelicans’ visit.
- Shooting Struggles: Houston ranks 28th in the NBA for overall field goal percentage (43.7%) and 28th in three-point percentage (32.2%). Despite this, they are second only to the Thunder in defensive rating.
- Key Players:
- Jalen Green: Leading the Rockets in scoring with 19 points per game.
- Alperen Sengun: Averaging a double-double with 18.6 points and 10.6 rebounds per game.
New Orleans Pelicans:
- Recent Performance: The Pelicans’ 119-104 road loss to the Indiana Pacers on Sunday marked their 13th defeat in the past 14 games.
- Injury Impact: Plagued by injuries, the Pelicans have struggled to maintain a consistent rotation. Key players out include forwards Zion Williamson (hamstring) and Brandon Ingram (ankle), and guard Jose Alvarado (hamstring).
- Western Conference Standings: The Pelicans are currently at the bottom of the Western Conference standings.
This matchup presents an opportunity for the Rockets to continue their upward trajectory and for the Pelicans to seek a much-needed victory amid their challenging season.
