Pelicans vs. Rockets (8 ET, NBA TV)
Return Of ‘The Beard’
After a slow start to 2015-16, James Harden is beginning to look like the player who finished 2nd in Kia MVP voting last year. Harden has scored 40-plus points in three of his last four home games, including a 50-point eruption against the Sixers last Friday. Harden is tied with Stephen Curry for most 40-plus point games this season with five. Over his last six games, Harden is averaging 31.8 points on 45.6 percent shooting, 7.3 assists, 7.2 rebounds and 2.0 steals in 40.4 minutes for Houston. Don’t be surprised if we see another dominant game from “The Beard” tonight.
Return Of Tyreke
Tyreke Evans played his first game of the season last night against Memphis after missing the first 17 games of the season while recovering from surgery on his right knee. He looked great, tallying 20 points on 58.3 percent shooting, 10 assists and five rebounds in 31 minutes. The Pelicans have greatly missed his playmaking ability and it will be interesting to see if his presence can help turn around the 4-14 Pelicans. He averaged 16.6 points, 6.6 assists, 5.3 rebounds and 1.3 steals in 79 games last season.
Slow Out The Gates
As mentioned, the Pelicans have struggled to begin 2015-16. So have the Rockets, who stand at 7-11. Both squads made the playoffs last season, but would be on the outside looking in if the postseason began today. One team will get a much-needed win tonight as they look to get back on track. New Orleans and Houston split their regular season series 2-2 in 2014-15.
Pacers vs. Clippers (10:30 ET, NBA TV)
Revving Their Engines
The Pacers ride into Los Angeles winners of five straight games and 11 of their last 13 overall. They had the second best record in the NBA in November (11-2) and rank 2nd in defensive rating (95.5) this season. Paul George is the leader of this return to dominance, but role players C.J. Miles, George Hill and Monta Ellis have had a lot to do with the rise as well. Overall, the Pacers are shooting 40 percent on 3-pointers (2nd best in NBA) and rank second in Defensive Rating (95.5). Will they be able to keep rolling against the Clippers tonight?
Back On Track
After a rough week of play, the Clippers are starting to look like their old selves. A win tonight would give them four in a row, which would be their longest win streak of the season (and their fourth win in five games). However, Chris Paul left the game against the Blazers on Monday with a strained rib muscle and his availability for tonight’s game is unknown. Without their All-Star point guard, Blake Griffin will need to shoulder a heavy load to power the Clippers past the powerful Pacers.
Star-Studded Clash
Griffin and George are two of the most well-rounded players in the game, bringing elite offensive and defensive talents to their squads. And both players are having career-best starts to the 2015-16 season. Griffin is averaging 25.0 points on 54.1 percent shooting, 8.5 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 0.8 blocks. George is averaging 27.2 points on 45.9 percent shooting (career-best 45.5 percent from 3-point), 8.1 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 1.6 steals. Expect big performances from both players in what should be an extremely entertaining cross-conference matchup.
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NBA.com staff reports
