Houston Rockets (37-25, fifth in the Western Conference) vs. New Orleans Pelicans (17-44, 14th in the Western Conference)
New Orleans; Thursday, 8 p.m. EST
BOTTOM LINE: Houston will aim to end its eight-game road skid when the Rockets face New Orleans.
The Pelicans are 11-28 against conference opponents. New Orleans gives up 118.7 points to opponents and has been outscored by 7.7 points per game.
The Rockets are 10-3 against the rest of the division. Houston leads the NBA with 48.3 rebounds per game led by Alperen Sengun averaging 10.5.
The Pelicans' 12.3 made 3-pointers per game this season are only 0.1 more made shots on average than the 12.2 per game the Rockets give up. The Rockets average 12.2 made 3-pointers per game this season, 2.5 fewer made shots on average than the 14.7 per game the Pelicans give up.
TOP PERFORMERS: Trey Murphy III is averaging 21.8 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.8 assists for the Pelicans. Zion Williamson is averaging 21.0 points over the last 10 games.
Sengun is scoring 19.2 points per game and averaging 10.5 rebounds for the Rockets. Jalen Green is averaging 3.4 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Pelicans: 5-5, averaging 115.6 points, 47.5 rebounds, 27.1 assists, 7.7 steals and 5.3 blocks per game while shooting 46.9% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 118.4 points per game.
Rockets: 5-5, averaging 109.8 points, 50.9 rebounds, 22.4 assists, 6.4 steals and 4.3 blocks per game while shooting 43.9% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 111.0 points.
INJURIES: Pelicans: Brandon Boston Jr.: day to day (ankle), Herbert Jones: out for season (shoulder), Dejounte Murray: out for season (leg).
Rockets: Fred VanVleet: day to day (ankle).
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
The Associated Press
