The rockets vs pelicans matchup resumes Sunday night ET in New Orleans as the Pelicans seek to end a four-game skid. Houston arrives after a season-long stretch that places the Rockets higher in the Western Conference while the teams prepare for their fourth meeting of the season. The game is notable for the recent March 14 meeting that ended 107-105 in Houston’s favor, and for a betting line that lists New Orleans as nine-point favorites.
Rockets Vs Pelicans: Game snapshot
Standings and records set the frame: Houston is 44-29 and sits sixth in the Western Conference, while New Orleans is 25-50 and 11th in the West. The teams meet for the fourth time this season; the last matchup on March 14 finished 107-105 with Kevin Durant scoring 32 points for Houston and Dejounte Murray scoring 35 for New Orleans. The Pelicans enter this game on a four-game losing streak and face a Rockets defense that yields 110. 2 points per game.
Offensive and defensive splits highlight the matchup. New Orleans averages 115. 3 points per game, which contrasts with Houston’s 110. 2 points allowed. Three-point shooting and perimeter defense could be decisive: the Rockets average 11. 2 made 3-pointers per game this season, while the Pelicans allow opponents 14. 1 made 3s per game. In games decided by at least 10 points this season, Houston is 21-11 while New Orleans is 14-22.
Key players and injuries
Top performers for each side feature recent hot hands and season-long production. Zion Williamson is averaging 21. 4 points, 5. 8 rebounds and 3. 2 assists for the Pelicans. Saddiq Bey has averaged 17. 8 points over the last 10 games for New Orleans. For Houston, Alperen Sengun is averaging 20. 4 points, 8. 9 rebounds and 6. 2 assists, and Kevin Durant has averaged 25. 5 points over his last 10 games.
Injury reports shape rotations: Trey Murphy III (ankle) and Bryce McGowens (toe) are listed as day to day for New Orleans, while Dejounte Murray is out with an Achilles injury. Houston lists Fred VanVleet out for the season with an ACL injury and Steven Adams out for the season with an ankle injury.
Recent form in the last 10 games is comparable on the surface. New Orleans is 5-5 over that span, averaging 115. 9 points, 43. 7 rebounds and 26. 5 assists while shooting 48. 1% from the field; their opponents have averaged 113. 5 points per game. Houston is also 5-5 over its last 10, averaging 111. 2 points, 47. 7 rebounds and 26. 7 assists while shooting 47. 6%; opponents have averaged 112. 5 points.
What’s next
This game will be a measuring stick for both clubs as the season winds forward. New Orleans will try to halt the skid at home, leaning on its 115. 3 points-per-game scoring ability and hoping to close the gap on Houston’s defensive numbers. Houston will look to protect its standing in the Western Conference and exploit New Orleans’ perimeter defense, where opponents have averaged 14. 1 made 3s per game.
Expect attention on rotations impacted by the listed injuries and on whether the fourth meeting alters momentum after the March 14 107-105 result. Betting interest is already reflected in a nine-point line favoring New Orleans. The rockets vs pelicans matchup will reveal whether New Orleans can stop the slide or if Houston will extend its edge when these teams meet again.
