Strive for 3 consecutive wins! Rockets vs. Pelicans, 3 generals are absent, 4 highlights are worth mentioning, Amen makes the words clear

The Houston Rockets will challenge the New Orleans Pelicans away in the NBA preseason. The Rockets are also gearing up to win three consecutive games. Before the game, the officially updated injury lists of the two teams showed that many key players were unable to play due to injuries or rest, which made the direction of the game more difficult to predict.

The Rockets' injury situation is particularly serious. Starting guard VanVleet is still recovering from anterior knee cruciate ligament surgery and cannot play. This core guard, who averaged 14.1 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 5.6 assists per game last season, cannot play. The team's organization and perimeter defense capabilities will be greatly affected, which will test the team's substitute players. Forward Finney Smith is also unable to play due to an ankle sprain. He played with the Lakers and Nets last season, averaging 8.7 points and 3.9 rebounds per game, and shooting 41.1% from three-point range. He is a reliable outside scoring point. His absence will reduce the offensive and defensive intensity of the Rockets' forwards. In addition, forward Tate (who had 4 points and 1 rebound in the game against the Pelicans last season) cannot play because he has to manage a knee injury, which further reduces the team's rotation number. Whether forward Tari Eason (contributed 12 points and 2 rebounds against the Pelicans last season) and center Adams (six points and 8 rebounds against the Pelicans last season) can play is still uncertain and will be determined after pre-game evaluation.

The Pelicans' lineup is also incomplete. Guard Dejounte Murray is recovering from Achilles tendon ligament surgery and is still injured. This versatile guard who averaged 17.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 7.4 assists per game last season cannot play, and the team's offensive and defensive connection will have problems. Guard Alvarado (who scored 17 points, 4 rebounds and 7 assists against the Rockets last season) cannot play the game due to a knee contusion, and the vitality and defensive intensity of the bench will be greatly reduced. Forward Herbert Jones (averaged 10.3 points, 3.9 rebounds, 3.3 assists per game last season) continues to be absent due to injuries, which has a great impact on the team's defensive system on the wings. It is also uncertain whether forward Murphy III (averaging 21.2 points, 5.1 rebounds, 3.5 assists per game last season) can play. If he cannot play, the Pelicans' outside shooting ability will be significantly reduced.

In the 2024-2025 season, the Rockets and Pelicans played a total of 4 times. The Rockets won all the games and completed the sweep of the Pelicans. The first meeting was on October 16, 2024. The Rockets easily defeated the Pelicans with a score of 118-98 on the road, giving a good start to the entire season. Three months later, on December 19, the Rockets returned to their home court and were still in good shape. They beat the Pelicans again 133-113, demonstrating their strong home court advantage. Just a week later, on December 26, the two teams met for the third time. The Pelicans still failed to change the losing situation at their home court, losing to the Rockets 111-128. The Rockets completed their three-game winning streak against the Pelicans this season. On March 8, 2025, the two teams had their last contest of the season. The Rockets came out firing and won again with a score of 146 to 117. This time not only completed the sweep of the Pelicans, but also created the largest point difference between the two sides this season. Throughout the season, the Rockets averaged a 19.5-point margin of victory against the Pelicans, demonstrating their comprehensive suppression and becoming one of the Pelicans' most troublesome opponents this season.

Although both teams have players who cannot play due to injuries, this game is still quite interesting, and there are four areas that are worthy of attention. First we have to look at Durant's condition. Durant is a player that the Rockets spent a lot of money to introduce during the offseason. In the last preseason game, he played particularly well. He only played 23 minutes, hit 7 of 10 shots, and easily scored 20 points. This time against the Pelicans, whether he can maintain such a high offensive efficiency and better integrate into the Rockets' tactical system, his scoring ability and leadership role in the team will directly affect the outcome of the game.

Then there is the performance of the Rockets' young core. Shen Jing and Jabari have to accept the test of the Pelicans' defense. Last season, Shen Jing averaged 19.2 points, 10.4 rebounds, and 4.9 assists per game, becoming a star center. He also became the first center after Jokic to have two "zero turnover triple-doubles" in a single season. If the Pelicans' Herbert Jones (previously due to an ankle sprain, it was uncertain whether he could play) can play, this forward known for his strong defense will become Shen Jing's "touchstone."

Next, let’s look at the pressure resistance of the Rockets’ temporary backcourt. VanVleet will definitely not be able to play in the preseason due to a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee. His organizational role of averaging 5.6 assists per game last season needs someone to make up for it. Now Amen Thompson and Sheppard can only temporarily partner in the backcourt, but Amen has already performed very well in the preseason - in the game against the Jazz, he made 9 of 15 shots in 25 minutes, scored 19 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2 steals. His secondary offensive shooting rate was as high as 78%, and his average sprint speed during fast breaks reached 9.2 meters per second. Amen Thompson also said after the game last time that he will show off his organizational talents in the following games. It seems that he is fully prepared to face the Pelicans this time. Of course, facing the Pelicans' backcourt players, whether they can continue to perform well and how coach Uduka will adjust his tactics to make up for the deficiencies in the backcourt are key issues for the Rockets.

The last is the defensive strategy against Zion. Although the Pelicans' core player Zion is not sure whether he can play due to a back injury, he is very threatening as long as he plays. In the past, the Rockets often used Dillon to match Zion, and the effect was pretty good. Zion got into foul trouble several times.. Now that Dillon has left, the Rockets have to rearrange their defensive plan. Let Jabari, who is still very explosive after gaining weight and muscle, try to limit Zion, or let Shen Jing help defend inside. Whether the defensive strategy is targeted will directly affect the situation of the game.