Who: New Orleans Pelicans at Houston Rockets
When: Saturday, Oct. 26; 8 p.m ET.; Toyota Center
Where: Fox Sports New Orleans
The Pelicans will roll into Houston looking for their first win of the regular season after going unbeaten in the preseason. Unfortunately, they’ll be forced to try and so without not one, but two of their star players.
Along with Zion Williamson, who is expected to miss the next 6-8 weeks with a torn meniscus, the Pelicans will also be without Jrue Holiday, who is nursing a left knee sprain.
Holiday has struggled on offense through two games in the regular season, averaging just 10.5 points on 30.8 percent from the field, including 11.1 percent from behind the arc, but when he’s on it, he’s indisputably the team’s best player. Last season, Holiday averaged 21.2 points, 7.7 assists, 5 rebounds and 1.6 steals per game.
His defense hasn’t been great either, but he is a safer bet going up against the likes of James Harden and Russell Westbrook than JJ Redick, Nickeil Alexander-Walker or Josh Hart are.
With Holiday out, expect Brandon Ingram to slide over to the 3, with Nicolo Melli moving into the starting lineup at the 4. Melli has 66.7 percent from 3-point range on three attempts per game this season. He has also developed a nice chemistry with Lonzo Ball, who will need to step up in Holiday’s absence.
Tip-off is at 8 p.m. ET.
