Rockets at Pelicans
The Houston Rockets locked up the No. 4 spot and homecourt advantage in the first round of the Western Conference playoffs on Monday. The Rockets figured to rest some of their key players when they close out the regular season by visiting the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday. Houston is taking on a Pelicans team with several key players injured but still has to find someone to guard swingman Tyreke Evans, who is closing out the season with a bang.
Evans put up a career-high 41 points and added nine rebounds and eight assists as New Orleans snapped an eight-game slide with a 101-89 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday. Evans sat out Saturday’s 111-104 loss at the Rockets and was a surprise addition to the lineup on Monday after battling back from a bone bruise in his knee. The Rockets were busy knocking off the top team in the NBA on Monday to secure their spot with a 104-98 victory over the San Antonio Spurs and should feel very confident should they advance to face the Spurs in the second round after sweeping that season series.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, CSN Houston, FSN New Orleans
ABOUT THE ROCKETS (54-27): Houston gave Dwight Howard (ankle) enough playing time over the last two games to get him back in shape after missing eight straight and the All-Star put up 20 points and 17 rebounds in the win over the Spurs on Monday. Howard is one of several players that could have their time limited Wednesday with the postseason position secure. “We fought for it,” coach Kevin McHale told reporters of homecourt advantage. “It took a little longer than I hoped but we knew we had to get 54 wins and we got there with one to spare. I’m glad we didn’t have to wait until Wednesday to try an get it.”
ABOUT THE PELICANS (33-48): New Orleans’ rash of injuries has been a good thing for players like Evans and Austin Rivers, who are both getting a chance to start. Rivers was tossed from Monday’s game after a scuffle with Thunder forward Nick Collison but averaged 16 points, 8.3 rebounds and 6.3 assists in the previous three contests, including a season-high 20 points and 10 rebounds Saturday against the Rockets. “Next year it’s going to get better for us,” Evans told reporters after Monday’s win. “We just need to stay healthy and go through the system and hope everything goes right.”
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Houston has taken all three meetings this season and seven of the last eight.
2. Evans put up 16 points and nine assists in his lone appearance against the Rockets this season.
3. Houston G Patrick Beverley is averaging 16 points in two games since returning from a knee injury.