1) New Orleans (27-41) will try to break through for its first win of the season over Southwest Division rival Houston (47-21) tonight in the Smoothie King Center, after going 0-2 so far vs. the Rockets. Tip-off is at 7 p.m. Tickets are available here.
2) Listen to Thursday’s Black and Blue Report for a preview of Pelicans-Rockets, with Houston broadcaster Craig Ackerman. Rachel Nichols of ESPN will be a guest on Friday’s show.
3) The Pelicans signed Jordan Crawford for the remainder of the season.
4) By virtue of Denver’s four-game winning streak, including a victory over the Clippers last night, New Orleans is now six games out of eighth place in the Western Conference.
5) Undercover fan Chris Trew went beard-to-beard vs. James Harden.