New Orleans needs a win each time it steps on the floor during the second half of the regular season, but Thursday’s matchup vs. Houston (7 p.m., Bally Sports, 99.5 FM) has a bit more importance as a Southwest Division contest. The second tiebreaking step (after head-to-head record) is division record with seventh-place Dallas, something that could come into play in April. Brandon Ingram (non-Covid illness) and Cody Zeller (left knee contusion) are questionable to play in the Pelicans’ post-All-Star break debut, while three teammates are listed as out. That trio includes Dyson Daniels (left knee meniscectomy), E.J. Liddell (G League on assignment) and Dereon Seabron (G League two-way).
Previous Game Starting Lineups
HOUSTON (24-30, 12TH IN WEST)
Feb. 14 loss at Memphis
Amen Thompson, Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, Jabari Smith Jr., Alperen Sengun
NEW ORLEANS (33-22, 6TH IN WEST)
Feb. 14 win vs. Washington
CJ McCollum, Herb Jones, Brandon Ingram, Zion Williamson, Jonas Valanciunas
Season Series
Nov. 10: at Houston 104, New Orleans 101 (In-Season Tournament)
Dec. 23: Houston 106, at New Orleans 104
Jan. 31: New Orleans 110, at Houston 99
Feb. 22: at New Orleans, 7 p.m. (Bally Sports)