Pelicans at Rockets
If there is a team in the NBA capable of putting an early end to the Golden State Warriors' dynasty, it is the Houston Rockets. The Rockets, who finished with the best record in the NBA during the 2017-18 season and took the Warriors to seven games in the Western Conference finals, will try to start building toward a trip to the NBA Finals when they open the 2018-19 campaign by hosting the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday.
Houston added Carmelo Anthony to the All-Star duo of James Harden and Chris Paul over the offseason and is hoping the former star thrives in a reduced role. "He’s going to be perfect," Rockets coach Mike D'Antoni told the Houston Chronicle of Anthony. "James and Chris don't have to carry the load. He can make plays. His game, too, toward the end of games, mid-range, post-ups are good. We don’t want to do it most of the game because 3s are better throughout the game, but when it comes down to one point, two points, three points, whatever, it gives us another big option." The Pelicans lost to the Warriors in the Western Conference semifinals last season and are looking to take their own step forward behind star Anthony Davis, who coach Alvin Gentry feels is the best player in the league. "There's no one in the league we would trade him for," Gentry told reporters of Davis. "There's no one out of the league. Not even Beyonce. We wouldn't trade him for her, then he's probably untouchable."
TV: 8 p.m. ET, ESPN, FS New Orleans, AT&T Sportsnet Southwest (Houston)
ABOUT THE PELICANS (2017-18: 48-34): New Orleans' annual challenge is finding enough support offensively and defensively for Davis, who shouldered a big load while averaging 28.1 points, 11.1 rebounds and 2.6 blocks while shooting 53.4 percent from the floor last season. The Pelicans added some defense and rebounding punch by signing power forward Julius Randle to a two-year, $18 million deal. New Orleans is also expecting to take a step forward with Nikola Mirotic, who averaged 14.6 points and 8.2 rebounds in 30 games with the team after being acquired from the Chicago Bulls last season.
ABOUT THE ROCKETS (2017-18: 65-17): Houston also added small forward James Ennis, point guard Michael Carter-Williams and forward Marquese Chriss, but the biggest move the team made in the offseason was signing center Clint Capela to a five-year, $90 million extension. Capela averaged 13.9 points, 10.8 rebounds and 1.9 blocks while shooting 65.2 percent from the floor last season and served as the team's defensive anchor. Ennis is expected to move into the starting small forward spot vacated by Trevor Ariza, who signed a one-year, $15 million deal with the Phoenix Suns over the summer.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Rockets F Zhou Qi (knee) is expected to miss the first two weeks.
2. New Orleans acquired SF Wesley Johnson from the Los Angeles Clippers in exchange for F/C Alexis Ajinca.
3. Houston took three of the four meetings last season.