New Orleans, You Have A Problem; Pelicans Facing 4-Game Losing Streak

Posted on by David Grubb

HOUSTON – The month of January can’t come to an end quickly enough for the New Orleans Pelicans. New Orleans is 7-7 since the start of the new year, having lost three straight as they prepare to face the Houston Rockets tonight at the Toyota Center.

The Pelicans are 0-2 against the Rockets this season, with a pair of narrow defeats by a combined five points. Houston accounts for two of the Pels’ 10 clutch-time losses this season.

A loss would give New Orleans its longest losing streak since they dropped five straight from Nov. 4-12.

The numbers are confusing, as the Pelicans have the NBA’s fourth-best offense this month. However, they have regressed tremendously on the defensive end, ranking 13th.

Head coach Willie Green has drawn criticism for his rotations, as the Pelicans have squandered a number of leads and battled extended periods of stagnancy. The losses have turned his post game press conferences into social media fodder.

Green bears his share of the blame, as do his players. Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson in particular. The “best duo” in the league has proven to be anything but, as good teams have found ways to minimize or even outright neutralize their impact.

Without their stars playing at an elite level, the flaws in the construction of the roster and the shortcomings of the Pelicans’ role players have been exposed. On the nights they need players who can attack off the dribble, they have too few. On the nights they need shooting, they’ve misfired. And, on the nights they’ve needed toughness, they’ve shown little.

Because of this, New Orleans has fallen back to eighth place in the Western Conference standings.

This was supposed to be the season that the Pelicans avoided the play-in tournament, instead they may be fortunate to host a play-in game if things don’t change soon.

There isn’t a lot of buzz in the trade market for a major move, so whatever improvement there is going to be is likely going to have to come from within.

It’s easy to question whether the Pelicans have an understanding of who they are, who they want to be, and if they are simply not made of what it takes to be a consistent winner in this league.

The Rockets are going to test everything about the Pelicans tonight. They will be physical. They will take advantage in transition and they are led by players who have experienced success in both the regular and postseason.

Do the Pelicans put their collective foot down tonight, or do they allow the losing to continue into the second month of 2024?

Most Recent Starting Lineups

Houston RocketsNew Orleans Pelicans
G – Fred VanVleetG – CJ McCollum
G – Jalen GreenG – Herb Jones
F – Dillon BrooksF – Brandon Ingram
F – Jabari Smith Jr.F – Zion Williamson
C – Alperen SengunC – Jonas Valanciunas

Injuries

New Orleans Pelicans: Zion Williamson (left foot bone contusion) is QUESTIONABLE.

Houston Rockets: Tari Eason (leg) and Victor Oladipo (knee) are OUT.

Who: New Orleans Pelicans (26-21) at Houston Rockets (22-24)

Season Series

  • Nov. 10: Rockets def. Pelicans, 104-101 (In-Season Tournament)
  • Dec. 23: Rockets def. Pelicans, 106-104
  • Jan. 31: Pelicans at Rockets
  • Feb. 22: Rockets at Pelicans

Where: Toyota Center

When: Jan. 31, 7:00 PM CST

Where to watch: Bally Sports New Orleans

Where to listen: WRNO 99.5

For more content, visit HITP Sports on YouTube or HITP Sports online.

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