HOUSTON ROCKETS AT NEW ORLEANS PELICANS Friday, Jan. 26 (7 p.m., ESPN)
Why it’s on the list
As the closest city to New Orleans on the NBA map, Houston makes for an
excellent geographical and divisional rival, but proximity is far from the only
reason Pelicans-Rockets is a compelling matchup. Houston now boasts the All-Star
backcourt of James Harden and former New Orleans franchise player Chris Paul
(2005-11), a duo that hopes to threaten Golden State’s supremacy atop the
league. New Orleans has an All-Star tandem of its own but in the frontcourt,
featuring Anthony Davis and DeMarcus Cousins. The NBA’s television networks
clearly agree that this Southwest Division encounter is one to watch – three of
New Orleans’ 14 appearances on the national airwaves consist of head-to-head
meetings with Houston. The Jan. 26 game vs. Houston is one of three ESPN home
tilts for the Pelicans (they also host Golden State and Memphis on the
“Worldwide Leader in Sports”).
Where it falls on the New Orleans schedule
The second half of January is very favorable site-wise for the Pelicans, who’ll
enjoy a stretch of five games at home out of six overall, with the only road
game including a relatively short flight to Charlotte. It’s not always easy for
New Orleans to squeeze in home games in Januarys, because they cannot play in
the Smoothie King Center on dates when the NFL is holding playoff games (due to
potential conflicts with the New Orleans Saints needing to use the Mercedes-Benz
Superdome next door). In 2018, for example, that means road games in Minnesota
(Jan. 6) and New York (Jan. 14). However, the Pelicans are home Sunday, Jan. 28,
because that coincides with the Super Bowl off week.
What’s new in Houston
Paul was the marquee acquisition for the Rockets, but Houston also picked up a
pair of wing players who could improve the team’s defense, P.J. Tucker and Luc
Mbah a Moute. Tucker also supplies three-point shooting, which could help
compensate for the departure of some valuable role players. In the Paul trade,
the Rockets were forced to send hard-nosed defender and spot-up shooter Patrick
Beverley to the Clippers, along with instant-offense sixth man Lou Williams and
rising forward Sam Dekker.
Other 2017-18 games between these two teams
Monday, Dec. 11, New Orleans at Houston (NBA TV) Saturday, March 17, Houston at
New Orleans Saturday, March 24, New Orleans at Houston (NBA TV)
Media Content:
http://www.nba.com/pelicans/top-10-pelicans-home-games-2017-18-no-3-vs-rockets
Media Keywords: NBA, Sports, New Orleans Pelicans, Houston Rockets, New Orleans
Pelicans
Media Thumbnail:
http://i.cdn.turner.com/drp/nba/pelicans/sites/default/files/082417_dc_article.jp
g
Taxonomy: pelicans, schedule, countdown
Story Link:
http://www.nba.com/pelicans/top-10-pelicans-home-games-2017-18-no-3-vs-rockets
