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Rockets at Pelicans, Dec. 23: Lineups, how to watch, injury reports, uniforms

ben dubose
·2 min read

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

Probable starting lineups

Houston Rockets (14-12)

New Orleans Pelicans (17-12)

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

(via LockerVision)

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Story originally appeared on Rockets Wire