SCOUTING THE ROCKETS

Following consecutive home games, the Rockets are scheduled to play four straight games on the road, including consecutive contests at Oklahoma City on Monday and Wednesday after playing in New Orleans. The Rockets are 3-5 away from Toyota Center, including winning consecutive road games at Detroit and Dallas last week. … The Rockets have won four of their last five games against the Pelicans and haven’t lost a season series to New Orleans since going 1-3 in 2010-11. … The Rockets trailed Portland by 20 points in the first quarter on Thursday before winning 104-101. Before the comeback, the Rockets were 0-8 this season in games when they trailed by double digits. … The Rockets are 3-1 in games decided by three or fewer points. … The Trail Blazers finished with 16 assists, and the Rockets have held opponents below 20 assists in four consecutive games for the first time since November 2018. Rockets foes are averaging an NBA-low 21.6 assists this season, down from 25.3 last season.