Pelicans Open Post All-Star Campaign Against Road Struggling Rockets

New Orleans, LA - The New Orleans Pelicans (33-22) host the Houston Rockets (24-30) on Thursday night at the Smoothie King Center. The game is the first for both teams since the All-Star break. New Orleans enters the game with their best record at the All-Star break in 16 years, while the Rockets have the fewest road wins (5) in the Western Conference. Houston has won two of the three games this season against New Orleans.

The Rockets boast a formidable defense this season after being terrible the last few years. Houston is Top 10 in opponent points allowed per game (112.2) and No. 5 in opponent field goal percentage (46.1%). In the previous three years, the Rockets surrendered the most opponent points in the league, at 117.9. Offensively, the second-year center Alperen Sengun leads them in scoring, averaging 21.2 points and 9.1 rebounds per game.

Sengun scored a career-high 37 points against the Pels the last time these teams played in New Orleans. The Pelicans must find a way to slow him down in the interior. One way New Orleans can do so is by making him work on the defensive end. Both Jonas Valanciunas and Zion Williamson shoot better than 57% from the field. Williamson averages over 17 points in the paint, which ranks second in the NBA. A steady dose of the Pelicans big men could limit Sengun's effectiveness.

The Pelicans don't know the status of forward Brandon Ingram, who is listed as questionable for Thursday night's game. Brandon Ingram has been settling nicely into his distributor role recently. Ingram has dished out at least six assists in seven straight games. His 5.8 assists this season ties a career-high, a mark he set last year. Along with the assists, Ingram has thrived against the Rockets this season. B.I. averages 24.7, 6.3 rebounds, and 4.7 assists in the three games versus Houston this year, so it would be a big loss if Ingram can't suit up on Thursday. 

Both of these teams are middle of the pack in pace and do well-taking care of the basketball. The game may come down to who can shoot the three-point ball most efficiently. In all three games, the team that's won the battle from beyond the arc has won the game. New Orleans is No. 8 in the league in three-point shooting (37.7%). That number may improve if rookie Jordan Hawkins gets some playing time. With Dyson Daniels sidelined with a meniscus injury, the rookie may be able to get some playing time moving forward.

New Orleans opens up a three-game homestand with the Rockets on Friday, followed by a visit from the Heat and then the Bulls. The Pelicans have 27 games remaining until the playoff starts.