Houston Rockets vs. New Orleans Pelicans preseason game preview: start time, how to watch, online, on TV, injuries, poll

During the Houston Rockets' final preseason game, a “thrilling” overtime win over the Oklahoma City Thunder, Xiane and I talked about expectations for the team. It's a conversation every fan base constantly has about their teams. They set expectations and then adjust them when significant changes occur. Where are the Rockets?

First, let's clarify some facts:

• The Rockets finished 11th in the Western Conference last year.
• They were five games behind the 10th-place Warriors, who beat the Rockets.
• The Rockets were as far away from the No. 8 seed Pelicans as the Pelicans were from the first-place OKC Thunder (eight games).
• OKC, Denver, Dallas and Minnesota are still considered championship contenders this season.
• The fourth-place Clippers lost Paul George but finished 10 games ahead of Houston.
• The Suns brought in Mike Budenholzer, who will undeniably be a better coach than this group has seen so far (even if Coach Bud isn't a genius coach).
• The Lakers are a year older, but you saw LeBron James in the Olympics.
• Today's opponent, the New Orleans Pelicans, traded for Dejounte Murray and got 70 games against Zion Williamson last season, hopefully including his “I've arrived” moment in a 40-point outburst in the play-in loss to the Lakers .
• The Kings added DeMar DeRozan.
• The Warriors lost rocket killer Klay Thompson, but retooled with Buddy Hield and Kyle Anderson and still employ Steph Curry and Draymond Green.
• Here you say, “AK, at least one of these teams is going to have a terrible year because of injuries, poor play, or dissatisfaction.” And I said, “Sure, but don’t forget to look behind yourself.”
• The Memphis Grizzlies are getting Ja Morant back this year and expect to do significantly better than their injury-riddled 2023-24 season.
• The San Antonio Spurs have an alien on their team.

So today's poll is about where you think Houston will end up. Not what you Hope will happen, but what you expect happen. We expect a normal season, with injuries but nothing crazy. Again, you must adapt when faced with material changes.

Xiane and I will be at Playback again this time. Remember, we can give away 20 passes to watch the game even if you don't have League Pass or access to Rockets games. Don't look for an illegal stream when you can just come in, watch legally and for free, and hang out with other Rockets fans. It will be fun!

Tip

7pm CT

Here's how to watch

Space City home network

Injury report

Rockets

Jock Landale: planned break

Tari Eason: planned rest

Pelicans

Brandon Ingram OUT

Trey Murphy III: Hamstring injury

The line (as of this post)

N/A, but check here for updates

We look forward because we can

Thursday night at Toyota Center against the Memphis Grizzlies

Opinion poll