Pelicans vs Rockets: Tip Time, Injury Updates, and What to Know as Houston Hosts New Orleans at Toyota Center

Mo. Basuony

ago 1 hour

Pelicans vs Rockets

The Pelicans vs Rockets matchup arrives with two teams heading in very different directions this season. The Houston Rockets (24–15) enter the night as one of the Western Conference’s stronger home teams, while the New Orleans Pelicans (10–34) are trying to steady a short-handed rotation and avoid another game where early mistakes snowball into a long chase.

This is also a sneaky “style” game: Houston has leaned on pace, pressure defense, and extra possessions, while New Orleans has needed shot-making and half-court efficiency to survive stretches without key perimeter stoppers.

Pelicans vs Rockets start time and location

Houston Texans vs New England Patriots isn’t the story here tonight. It’s New Orleans vs Houston on the hardwood:

Game: New Orleans Pelicans at Houston Rockets
Arena: Toyota Center (Houston)
Tipoff: 7:00 p.m. ET (6:00 p.m. CT)
UK time: 12:00 a.m. GMT
Cairo time: 2:00 a.m. (Mon, Jan 19)

If you’re searching “pelicans vs rockets” because you’re in Egypt, the key detail is that it lands after midnight in the UK and in the early hours in Cairo.

Where to watch Pelicans vs Rockets

If you’re looking up “where to watch pelicans vs rockets,” viewing options depend on whether you’re in-market or out-of-market:

In Houston and surrounding areas: the game is typically carried on a local/regional sports channel tied to the Rockets’ broadcast rights.
In Louisiana and the Pelicans’ local market: expect a local/regional broadcast aligned with the Pelicans’ rights package.
Out-of-market in the U.S. and internationally: the most common option is the league’s out-of-market subscription streaming service, with blackout rules varying by location.

Because availability can change by ZIP code and provider, the fastest way to confirm is checking your TV guide listing for Rockets/Pelicans coverage in your area a few hours before tip.

Injury report notes: Pelicans depth tested, Rockets managing key absences

Both sides come in with important names on the list, and status can shift close to game time.

Pelicans (key names recently listed):

Herb Jones — out (ankle)
Jose Alvarado — out (oblique)
Dejounte Murray — out (Achilles)

Rockets (key names recently listed):

Fred VanVleet — out (knee)
Tari Eason — game-time decision (ankle)

For New Orleans, the headline is perimeter defense and point-of-attack pressure without Jones and Murray. For Houston, the question is ball-handling structure without VanVleet and whether Eason’s availability boosts the Rockets’ ability to switch, run, and swarm.

Key storylines: Kevin Durant’s Rockets vs Zion Williamson’s Pelicans

This pats vs texans search wave may have you in “what’s on tonight?” mode, but Rockets vs Pelicans has real star gravity:

Kevin Durant has been a focal point for Houston’s scoring and late-clock offense, especially at home where the Rockets have played with more control and confidence.
Zion Williamson remains New Orleans’ hardest matchup when he’s getting downhill, drawing help, and creating corner threes and dump-off looks.
Trey Murphy III is a swing piece: if his perimeter shooting pops early, it changes how aggressively Houston can load up on Zion.

Matchup keys: how each team can win Pelicans vs Rockets

How Houston can control the game

Win the turnover battle: Houston’s best stretches often start with deflections, runouts, and quick-hitting offense before New Orleans can set its defense.
Punish the depleted Pelicans perimeter: with New Orleans missing key stoppers, Houston can hunt mismatches and force extra help.
Own the glass: second chances and transition opportunities are a formula that can turn a tight game into a double-digit gap fast.

How New Orleans can steal it

Slow the pace: fewer chaotic possessions means fewer live-ball turnovers and fewer easy Houston points.
Make Houston guard in the half court: long, patient possessions can reduce Rockets momentum runs.
Get efficient nights from the secondary scorers: New Orleans usually needs more than one hot hand to beat a strong home team.

Pelicans vs Rockets outlook and predictions

Oddsmakers have treated Houston vs New Orleans as a clear Rockets-leaning spot, with Houston priced as a double-digit favorite at home and totals sitting in the low 230s range. That reflects three things: Houston’s record and home performance, New Orleans’ availability issues, and how quickly Rockets games can speed up when turnovers appear.

Still, the Pelicans’ path is straightforward: protect the ball, win a few “effort” categories (rebounds, loose balls), and turn it into a half-court shot-making contest where Zion and the shooters can keep it within one run.

If you want, tell me your country (or “Cairo”) and whether you’re trying to watch on TV or streaming, and I’ll translate the watch options into a simple checklist for your exact setup.