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The Rockets return home from an East Coast road trip to face another under performing preseason playoff favorite in the New Orleans Pelicans.
On top of being a Conference game, this is also a Divisional match up. The Pelicans (4-14) actually have a worse record than the Rockets, and these are the types of games Houston needs to start winning if they are going to dig themselves out of the early-season hole.
The Pelicans also have a worse defense than the Rockets, so if Houston's stagnant offense was to find a get well game, this could be it.
Things to look for are:
Can Marcus Thornton continue his hot shooting? He's scored 18 points in each of the last 2 games.
Can the Rockets get Dwight Howard more involved on offense? He's averaging just 13.2 points per game, his lowest since this rookie year.
And can the struggling Ty Lawson build off the signs of life he showed against Detroit? Lawson had 11 points and was a perfect 3-3 from downtown.