Winners of five of their last six games, the Houston Rockets continue their campaign as one of the league’s biggest surprises on Thursday night against the Pelicans. Despite its youth, the Rockets are 20-9 on the season,

The Houston Rockets (20-9) visit the New Orleans Pelicans (5-25) on Thursday. Tip-off from Smoothie King Arena is at 8 p.m. ET. Let's analyze BetMGM Sportsbook's NBA odds around the Rockets vs. Pelica

Zion Williamson has been ruled out due to a hamstring injury when the Pelicans will face the Houston Rockets at Smoothie King Center.

As they get ready to meet the Houston Rockets (20-9) on Thursday, December 26 at Smoothie King Center, with the opening tip at 8:00 PM ET, the New Orleans Pelicans (5-25) have five players currently listed on the injury report.

The struggling Pelicans witnessed the Rockets’ turnaround up close Thursday, getting dismantled 133-113 in the Toyota Center. It's the most points the Pelicans have allowed this season, surpassing the 132 points in a loss to the Dallas Mavericks.

The Houston Rockets (17-9) host the New Orleans Pelicans (5-22) on Thursday night in a clash of NBA Southwest Division rivals. Bookmark this page and check back for updates about both teams leading up to tipoff, and again after the final buzzer for postgame analysis and interviews by Houston Chronicle writers.

The Oklahoma City Thunder travel on the road to face the Indiana Pacers on Thursday. It's the season's first matchup between the two teams. The Thunder (23-5) have won eight in a row sans the NBA Cup finals.