Who: New Orleans Pelicans vs. Houston Rockets
When: Sunday, Dec. 29, 8:00 p.m ET
Where: Smoothie King Center
How to watch: Fox Sports New Orleans
What once looked like a lost month and season could quickly turn back around for New Orleans if they can close 2019 with a win. At home against the Clint Capela-less Rockets, the Pelicans can take one more big step out of the gutter on Sunday.
After finding themselves 6-22 heading into the team’s holiday road trip, wins in four of their last five games have them not only heading back to .500 but inching back into the playoff picture. A win by New Orleans can move them within 3.5 games back of the eighth seed in a putrid bottom of the Western Conference.
To earn that win, though, the Pelicans will have to outduel one of the elite scorers in the league in James Harden. Entering Sunday’s game, Houston is 12-1 when Harden scores at least 40 points. The Pelicans have held Harden under that mark in both meetings, though only by one point in their second meeting. That hasn’t automatically equaled success as the Rockets won both previous contests.
