NEW ORLEANS – The New Orleans Pelicans begin their final push to complete two significant goals for the 2023-24 season; make the playoffs and avoid the play-in tournament at all costs.
With 33 wins, the Pelicans have a decent grip on the sixth spot in the Western Conference. They return from the All-Star break with three games at home, starting with tonight’s contest against the Houston Rockets.
New Orleans dropped the first two of the season series to Houston, but thoroughly outplayed the Rockets during an 11-point victory last month, and did so without the services of Zion Williamson. Brandon Ingram, CJ McCollum, and Jonas Valanciunas combined for 68 points, with Valanciunas dominating his matchup with Houston center Alperen Sengun.
A win tonight would be a great start to a stretch run that gets much harder as the regular season nears its end. The Pelicans have nine games over the next 16 days, with five of those coming against teams with winning records.
Most Recent Starting Lineups
| Houston Rockets | New Orleans Pelicans |
| G – Jalen Green | G – CJ McCollum |
| G – Amen Thompson | G – Herbert Jones |
| F – Dillon Brooks | F – Brandon Ingram |
| F – Jabari Smith Jr. | F – Zion Williamson |
| C – Alperen Sengun | C – Jonas Valanciunas |
Injuries
Houston Rockets: Reggie Bullock (back) is QUESTIONABLE. Tari Eason (lower leg) is OUT.
New Orleans Pelicans: Brandon Ingram (non-Covid illness) and Cody Zeller (left knee contusion) are QUESTIONABLE. Dyson Daniels (left meniscus tear) is OUT.
Who: Houston Rockets (24-30) at New Orleans Pelicans (33-22)
Season Series
- Nov. 10: Rockets def. Pelicans, 104-101 (In-Season Tournament)
- Dec. 23: Rockets def. Pelicans, 106-104
- Jan. 31: Pelicans def. Rockets, 110-99
- Feb. 22: Rockets at Pelicans
Where: Smoothie King Center
When: Feb. 22, 7:00 PM CST
Where to watch: Bally Sports New Orleans
Where to listen: WRNO 99.5
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