HOUSTON ROCKETS AT NEW ORLEANS PELICANS
Thursday, Feb. 23
Why it’s on the list
Four days after the Crescent City hosts the NBA All-Star Game for the third time since 2008, the Pelicans will get back to action inside the Smoothie King Center, in what could be termed a “reunion game” for some of its participants. The late-February trip by Houston to New Orleans will mark the first return for former Pelicans players Eric Gordon and Ryan Anderson, who had five- and four-year tenures with the franchise, respectively. Meanwhile, on the sideline, the Pelicans’ Alvin Gentry will go up against good friend Mike D’Antoni, who was hired by the Rockets in May.