Houston Rockets vs. New Orleans Pelicans Preview

The New Orleans Pelicans will look to break a four-game losing streak against the last-place Houston Rockets. Can Herb Jones and Trey Murphy III take advantage of their most important developmental minutes of the season?

When: March 13, 2022 @ 6 PM CT
Where: Smoothie King Center New Orleans, LA

How To Watch/Listen: Bally Sports NO, ESPN 100.3FM New Orleans

The New Orleans Pelicans (27-40, 10th in the Western Conference) will again take the court without CJ McCollum, Brandon Ingram, and Zion Williamson as they try to hold their place in the NBA Playoffs Play-in pecking order. New Orleans is only a half-game ahead of Josh Hart’s Portland Trailblazers for the final spot and a chance to knock the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA Draft lottery.

New Orleans as a city relishes the chance to knock Anthony Davis and Lebron James out of the playoffs. A win over the Rockets is paramount to getting that opportunity. Devonte’ Graham will stay in the starting until McCollum returns from health and safety protocols. Jonas Valancuinas and Herb Jones are stalwart starters. The two other spots in the first five are big questions for Willie Green.

Can Jaxson Hayes and Trey Murphy III take advantage of the increase in developmental minutes, or will New Orleans need to lean on veterans to secure a playoffs spot? Jones did well handling more of the offensive burden dishing out a career-high eight assists against the Charlotte Hornets on Friday. Murphy III hit a franchise-record seven three-pointers in that Hornets game as well. Too bad it was in a losing effort.

Coach Green said after that home loss to Lamelo Ball’s Hornets, “I'm telling (the Pelicans) that this is an opportunity for all of us. That's what the NBA is about. If somebody goes down, it's an opportunity for our guys to collectively come together and continue to work and go out and try to attack teams."

Houston has lost 14 of their last 16 games but won two of their last four, including one over the Lakers. The Rockets will likely start four players 21-years old or younger plus a 33-year-old Eric Gordon. Graham, Valancuinas, Tony Snell, and Herb Jones should be able to take advantage of the inexperienced Rockets, as Houston leads the league in turnovers and ranks last in rebounding and free-throw percentage (71%).

Even the short-handed Pelicans should be able to see out a win if they can just contain Christian Wood (17.9 points, 10.1 rebounds) and Jalen Green (15.7 pts, 3.2 rebs). Wood missed the game with a non-COVID-related illness. Houston actually scores more points per game (108.9) than the Pelicans (107.9). The Rockets usually allow 118 though, leading the SI Sportsbook to open with New Orleans as six-point favorites.

Will Willie Green give the younger Pelicans more responsibility in a very winnable game? Can the veterans provide a cushion that allows them to rest during crunch time? Would a loss that drops the team out of the playoff spots prove demoralizing, especially with all the stars still a week away from a return?

Here’s to hoping New Orleans does not need to worry about that last question. The Pelicans have the talent to win another game by 30 but they’ll take a win by any margin just to get back on track.

Expected Starting Lineups:

New Orleans Pelicans: Devonte’ Graham, Trey Murphy, Herb Jones, Jaxson Hayes, Jonas Valanciunas

Houston Rockets: Kevin Porter Jr., Jalen Green, Eric Gordon, Kenyon Martin Jr., Alperen Sengun