Rockets vs Pelicans Can the Rockets Continue Defensive Dominance?
Houston Rockets vs. New Orleans Pelicans
The Houston Rockets (20-9) are riding a three-game winning streak as they travel to the Smoothie King Center to take on the New Orleans Pelicans (5-25) Thursday night at 8:00 PM EST. Fresh off a dominant 133-113 victory last Thursday, Houston looks to continue its impressive defensive form, while New Orleans aims to snap a seven-game losing streak, which has heavily
Houston Rockets: Defensive Prowess and Offensive Inconsistencies
After a somewhat rocky stretch in December, the Houston Rockets have found their rhythm, especially on the defensive end, where they rank second in the NBA in defensive rating. Houston thrives on limiting opponents’ scoring, making them one of the toughest teams to break down. With top-five rankings in defending across all scoring levels, including field goals, three-pointers, and shots at the rim, the Rockets will rely on their defense to stifle the Pelicans’ offensive efforts.
However, the Rockets’ offensive efficiency remains a concern. Despite ranking 13th in offensive rating and 11th in offensive rebounds per game, Houston struggles with shooting accuracy. They rank 26th in true shooting percentage and 29th in effective field goal percentage, with several key players still unable to find consistency in their shooting. Houston’s offensive struggles contrast sharply with their dominant defensive stats, and the key to this matchup may lie in whether their shots finally begin to fall.
Houston’s ability to get to the free-throw line — where they rank seventh in attempts — could be pivotal. The Rockets’ aggressive style could give them opportunities to score from the charity stripe, especially against a New Orleans defense that has been porous all season.
New Orleans Pelicans: Struggling Offensively and Defensively
The New Orleans Pelicans’ season continues to spiral downward with a seven-game losing streak. Injuries have played a major role in their underperformance, with key players like Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson sidelined. As a result, the Pelicans have fallen to 29th in offensive rating and are dead last in the league in true shooting percentage, a clear sign of their struggles on that end of the floor.
The Pelicans’ offense has been inefficient across the board. They rank among the worst in the league in field goal percentage, three-point shooting, and turnovers. With a bottom-10 ranking in nearly every major offensive category, New Orleans will need a major boost from their bench players to keep pace with the Rockets’ defensive intensity. The team has managed to stay competitive on the offensive glass, ranking eighth in offensive rebounding rate, but without consistent shooting, this may not be enough to overcome Houston’s well-oiled defensive unit.
Defensively, the Pelicans’ woes are even more glaring. New Orleans allows the highest percentage of field goal attempts to come at the rim and ranks 23rd in three-point defense. Their inability to secure defensive rebounds has been a major problem, ranking 29th in defensive rebounding rate. While the Pelicans do limit free-throw attempts from opponents (sixth-fewest in the league), they’re still struggling to close out possessions effectively. Houston’s high offensive rebound rate may pose significant challenges for New Orleans as they attempt to limit second-chance points.
Conclusion
With a combination of elite defense and consistent offensive rebounding, the Houston Rockets are poised to extend their winning streak against a New Orleans Pelicans team mired in injury problems and offensive struggles. Expect Houston’s defense to shine once again, as they hand the Pelicans another tough loss.
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