Friday, March 7, 2025 7:06AM

New Orleans Pelicans (17-46, 14th in the Western Conference) vs. Houston Rockets (38-25, fifth in the Western Conference)

Houston; Saturday, 7 p.m. EST

BOTTOM LINE: Houston plays New Orleans in a matchup of Western Conference teams.

The Rockets are 23-16 in conference play. Houston is 7-5 in games decided by 3 points or fewer.

The Pelicans are 3-10 against opponents in the Southwest Division. New Orleans is sixth in the league with 12.2 offensive rebounds per game led by Yves Missi averaging 3.5.

The Rockets are shooting 44.8% from the field this season, 3.5 percentage points lower than the 48.3% the Pelicans allow to opponents. The Pelicans average 12.2 made 3-pointers per game this season, the same that the Rockets allow.

TOP PERFORMERS: Alperen Sengun is averaging 19.3 points, 10.4 rebounds and 4.9 assists for the Rockets. Jalen Green is averaging 3.4 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.

CJ McCollum is averaging 21.5 points and 3.9 assists for the Pelicans. Zion Williamson is averaging 21.0 points and 6.1 rebounds while shooting 62.3% over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Rockets: 5-5, averaging 111.3 points, 49.2 rebounds, 24.0 assists, 6.6 steals and 4.6 blocks per game while shooting 45.8% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 112.0 points per game.

Pelicans: 5-5, averaging 114.9 points, 47.0 rebounds, 27.1 assists, 8.1 steals and 5.1 blocks per game while shooting 46.5% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 116.9 points.

INJURIES: Rockets: Fred VanVleet: day to day (ankle).

Pelicans: Brandon Boston Jr.: day to day (ankle), Herbert Jones: out for season (shoulder), Dejounte Murray: out for season (leg).

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

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