New Orleans faces conference rival Houston

Houston Rockets (14-12, eighth in the Western Conference) vs. New Orleans Pelicans (17-12, sixth in the Western Conference)

New Orleans; Saturday, 7 p.m. EST

: Pelicans -6.5; over/under is 223.5

BOTTOM LINE: Jonas Valanciunas and the New Orleans Pelicans host Alperen Sengun and the Houston Rockets.

The Pelicans are 4-3 in division matchups. New Orleans averages 116.1 points while outscoring opponents by 2.6 points per game.

The Rockets are 6-2 against the rest of their division. Houston ranks second in the league allowing just 107.9 points while holding opponents to 43.9% shooting.

The Pelicans' 11.4 made 3-pointers per game this season are only 0.1 more made shots on average than the 11.3 per game the Rockets give up. The Rockets average 12.4 made 3-pointers per game this season, 1.2 fewer made shots on average than the 13.6 per game the Pelicans allow.

The teams meet for the second time this season. The Rockets won 104-101 in the last meeting on Nov. 11. Jalen Green led the Rockets with 25 points, and Brandon Ingram led the Pelicans with 31 points.

TOP PERFORMERS: Valanciunas is shooting 58.5% and averaging 15.0 points for the Pelicans. CJ McCollum is averaging 3.0 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games for New Orleans.

Jabari Smith Jr. is scoring 13.5 points per game and averaging 8.8 rebounds for the Rockets. Fred VanVleet is averaging 19.3 points and 4.5 rebounds over the last 10 games for Houston.

LAST 10 GAMES: Pelicans: 7-3, averaging 121.2 points, 43.7 rebounds, 27.1 assists, 8.1 steals and 4.4 blocks per game while shooting 49.5% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 114.5 points per game.

Rockets: 6-4, averaging 113.2 points, 50.1 rebounds, 24.0 assists, 6.5 steals and 4.8 blocks per game while shooting 44.4% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 108.9 points.

INJURIES: Pelicans: Cody Zeller: day to day (ankle), Zion Williamson: day to day (illness), Matt Ryan: out (calf), Larry Nance Jr.: out (rib).

Rockets: Victor Oladipo: out (knee), Tari Eason: out (leg), Reggie Bullock: out (illness).

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.