Houston Rockets vs. New Orleans Hornets game preview

Hornets vs Rockets coverage

At The Hive

Houston Rockets Tickets

Crazy fact of the day: every Hornet player averages more than 10 minutes per game.

Also, if any Hornets fans make it over here, I'm interested to hear their take regarding the Pelicans name change possibility.

Tip off is at 7pm CST.

Matchups:

Point Guard: Jeremy Lin vs. Greivis Vasquez

General Greivis has had a great year, as point guards in New Orleans seem to do. He's averaging 14/9/4. Much like the Rockets, the Hornets are a young team, and having a player in Vasquez who's been to the playoffs has to be a nice commodity. As for Vasquez, he's deservedly the starter and playing very well.

This matchup will be fun.

Advantage: Even

Shooting Guard: James Harden vs. Eric Gordon

Gordon just came back recently and scored 24 points in 25 minutes off the bench against the Bobcats. I'm glad he's returning to good health. I just wish he had waited a few more days.

Gordon was a hot commodity last summer, with the Suns giving him a max deal and the Hornets matching. If the Hornets are able to hold onto some of these young guys and develop them, they could be very similar to the Rockets in the future and be a contender in the West. I don't know if it will happen, but it's on the table.

Advantage: Rockets

Small Forward: Chandler Parsons vs. Ryan Anderson

Anderson will come off the bench, where he's shooting 40% from 3 and jacking up 8 per game. There's a green light, and then there's the light the Hornets have given Anderson.

Advantage: Hornets

Power Forward: Marcus Morris vs. Anthony Davis

Kansas! Kentucky!...alums (kinda).

It's the NBA on CSN Houston a channel you don't get!

Advantage: Hornets

Center: Omer Asik vs. Robin Lopez

Getting Lopez was a great move for the Hornets, who needed more size and someone to help with Davis's development. Frankly, he would have been helped the most from a Kevin Garnett or Tim Duncan, but he'll have to learn some on his own, just like all great players.

Lopez is precisely the kind of guy I wish the Rockets had backing up Asik, too. I like Greg Smith, and he's been great, but defensively the Rockets leave much to be desired when they go to the bench.

Advantage: Rockets

Bench

Rockets: Toney Douglas, Carlos Delfino, Greg Smith, Patrick Patterson

Hornets: Lance Thomas, Austin Rivers, Jason Smith, Dominic McGuire, Brian Roberts, Xavier Henry, Roger Mason, Jr.

Advantage: Rockets

Prediction: Rockets win 108-99.