Exploring salary matching and roster implications, Houston could send multiple guards or pivot to trading Tari Eason for Jose Alvarado.

Houston and New Orleans will square off in a matchup of Western Conference opponents. The teams meet Sunday for the second time this season.

Exactly one month ago, the New Orleans Pelicans climbed out of a 25-point hole to stun the Houston Rockets in overtime. It was the best win in what has been a frustrating season for the Pelicans. There was no such magic this time around. The Pelicans didn’t have enough for the Houston Rockets Sunday, falling 119-110 at Toyota Center.

Sunday night in Houston felt less like a contest and more like a coronation. While the New Orleans Pelicans tried their best to make things interesting down the stretch, the Houston Rockets had history on their side.

Houston Rockets (8-9, 10th in the Western Conference) vs. New Orleans Pelicans (7-10, 14th in the Western Conference) New Orleans; Saturday, 8 p.m. EST LINE: Rockets -1; over/under is 223.5 BOTTOM LINE: Houston will attempt to build upon its four-game win ...

BOTTOM LINE: New Orleans faces Houston Christian after Shanihya Brown scored 20 points in New Orleans' 65-62 loss to the Jacksonville State Gamecocks. The Privateers are 0-2 on their home court. New Orleans has a 0-3 record in games decided by 10 or more ...

Houston will try to end its three-game road slide when the Rockets play New Orleans Houston Rockets (16-7, fifth in the Western Conference) vs. New Orleans Pelicans (5-22, 15th in the Western Conference) New Orleans; Thursday, 8 p.m. EST BETMGM SPORTSBOOK ...