Harden and the Rockets take on the Pelicans
New Orleans Pelicans (20-29, 12th in the Western Conference) vs. Houston Rockets (30-18, fifth in the Western Conference)
Houston; Sunday, 2 p.m. EST
BOTTOM LINE: James Harden and the Houston Rockets square off against the New Orleans Pelicans. Harden leads the league averaging 35.6 points per game.
The Rockets are 5-4 against division opponents. Houston is fifth in the NBA with 46.5 rebounds led by Clint Capela averaging 13.8.
The Pelicans are 3-6 against the rest of the division. New Orleans averages 46 rebounds per game and is 5-17 when opponents win the rebound battle.
The teams meet for the fourth time this season. The Pelicans won 127-112 in the last matchup on Dec. 29. Lonzo Ball led New Orleans with 27 points, and Danuel House Jr. led Houston with 22 points.
TOP PERFORMERS: Harden leads the Rockets scoring 35.6 points per game and averaging 6.4 rebounds and 7.2 assists. Eric Gordon is averaging 3.8 made 3-pointers and 20.7 points over the last 10 games for Houston.
Derrick Favors leads the Pelicans with 10.0 rebounds and averages 9.8 points. Josh Hart is shooting 42.6 percent and has averaged 9.2 points over the last 10 games for New Orleans.
LAST 10 GAMES: Rockets: 4-6, averaging 116.7 points, 42.7 rebounds, 21.2 assists, eight steals and 5.3 blocks per game while shooting 45.1 percent from the field. Their opponents have averaged 118.3 points on 47.8 percent shooting.
Pelicans: 6-4, averaging 122.6 points, 47.7 rebounds, 27.7 assists, 7.1 steals and six blocks per game while shooting 48.5 percent from the field. Their opponents have averaged 119.5 points on 46.1 percent shooting.
INJURIES: Rockets: Gerald Green: out (left foot), Nene: out (adductor strain), Clint Capela: day to day (heel).
Pelicans: Kenrich Williams: day to day (back), Darius Miller: out (achilles).
___
The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.