On Sunday, the New Orleans Pelicans will face off against the Houston Rockets at 7 p.m. EDT in New Orleans. The Pelicans currently find themselves in a challenging position, having lost four consecutive games.
Current Standings
The Rockets, holding a record of 44-29, are sixth in the Western Conference. Meanwhile, the Pelicans sit at 25-50, ranked 11th in the same conference.
Team Performance
- The Pelicans are 7-8 against divisional opponents.
- They have a record of 14-22 in games decided by 10 points or more.
- The Rockets are 8-6 against their division, with a similar record of 21-11 in such high-scoring games.
Scoring Overview
The Pelicans boast an average of 115.3 points per game, exceeding the Rockets’ defensive average of 110.2 points allowed. Houston averages 11.2 three-pointers made per game, while the Pelicans concede an average of 14.1.
Previous Encounters
This matchup marks the fourth meeting between these two teams this season. In their last game on March 14, the Rockets emerged victorious with a narrow 107-105 win. Kevin Durant led the Rockets with 32 points, with the Pelicans’ Dejounte Murray scoring 35 points.
Key Players
- Zion Williamson (Pelicans): Averaging 21.4 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 3.2 assists.
- Saddiq Bey (Pelicans): Scoring an average of 17.8 points over the last 10 games.
- Alperen Sengun (Rockets): Averaging 20.4 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 6.2 assists.
- Kevin Durant (Rockets): Averaging 25.5 points over the last 10 games.
Recent Performance
In their last 10 games, the Pelicans have a balanced record of 5-5. They average 115.9 points, 43.7 rebounds, and 26.5 assists per game, with a shooting percentage of 48.1%. Their opponents have averaged 113.5 points per game.
The Rockets also stand at 5-5 during this stretch, averaging 111.2 points and 47.7 rebounds per game, shooting 47.6%. Their opponents have managed 112.5 points on average.
Injury Updates
- Pelicans:
- Trey Murphy III: day-to-day (ankle)
- Bryce McGowens: day-to-day (toe)
- Dejounte Murray: out (achilles)
- Rockets:
- Fred VanVleet: out for season (ACL)
- Steven Adams: out for season (ankle)
As the Pelicans prepare to take on the Rockets, they aim to regain momentum after their current four-game losing streak. This matchup is critical for both teams as they navigate the final stretch of the season.
