On night two of a back-to-back in two different cities, the Rockets travel to New Orleans to face the Pelicans (17-12) on Saturday evening. One night earlier, Houston (14-12) cruised to a blowout win in Friday’s game versus a short-handed Dallas Mavericks squad.
Due in large part to veteran point guard Fred VanVleet, the Rockets beat the Pelicans in an earlier meeting from November. But that game was within Houston’s friendly home confines of Toyota Center, where they are 12-2 this season, and it was not on a back-to-back. Saturday’s game at Smoothie King Center presents a new challenge.
The extent of the challenge, however, remains to be seen. Star forward Zion Williams missed New Orleans’ previous game with an illness, and he’s questionable for this matchup for the same reason.
Though the Rockets are on a back-to-back, Friday’s blowout allowed Ime Udoka to avoid overly taxing any of his regulars.
When and How to Watch
- Date: Saturday, Dec. 23
- Time: 6 p.m. Central
- TV Channel: Space City Home Network, NBA League Pass
- Live Stream: fuboTV (watch for free in Houston markets)
Probable starting lineups
Houston Rockets (14-12)
- Guard: Fred VanVleet
- Guard: Jalen Green
- Forward: Dillon Brooks
- Forward: Jabari Smith Jr.
- Center: Alperen Sengun
New Orleans Pelicans (17-12)
- Guard: CJ McCollum
- Guard: Trey Murphy III
- Forward: Brandon Ingram
- Forward: Herbert Jones
- Center: Jonas Valanciunas
Projected starters are based on each team’s previous game.
Injury reports
On Friday, Houston’s injury report listed Victor Oladipo (left patellar tendon repair) as out and Tari Eason (left lower leg soreness) as questionable. Eason then went on to miss his second straight game, each with the same pregame designation. Saturday’s report will not be issued until a few hours before tipoff, owing to the back-to-back.
On the other side, the Pelicans will be without Larry Nance Jr. (right rib fracture) and Matt Ryan (right elbow surgery). Zion Williamson (non-COVID illness) and Cody Zeller (right ankle sprain) are each questionable for Saturday’s game against the Rockets.
Dec. 23 uniform choices
- Rockets: White Association Edition
- Pelicans: Red Statement Edition
Latest interviews
#Rockets beat the Mavs 122-96
Alperen Sengun 22 PTS & 15 REB@SportsVanessa with @alperennsengun after the WIN@HoustonRockets on Space City Home Network pic.twitter.com/rfwKayg3ng
— Space City Home Network (@SpaceCityHN) December 23, 2023
Cam Whitmore tonight in the #Rockets win over DAL
🚀14 MIN
🚀14 PTS
🚀4 REB
🚀2 STLHe met with the media after the @HoustonRockets WIN pic.twitter.com/MyVixu9W8k
— Space City Home Network (@SpaceCityHN) December 23, 2023
#Rockets Jabari Smith Jr. tonight vs Dallas
🏀21 PTS🏀8 REB🏀He met with the media after the @HoustonRockets 122-96 win over Dallas pic.twitter.com/CAFIDGHisw
— Space City Home Network (@SpaceCityHN) December 23, 2023
