TIME TO CELEBRATE!
Texans' Roy Lopez to serve as Grand Marshal at Mardi Gras! Galveston celebration
Feb 2, 2022, 4:31 pm
Mardi Gras! is right around the corner. Photo courtesy of the Houston Texans.
GALVESTON ISLAND, Texas (Feb. 2, 2022) – If you’re looking to catch some beads this carnival season, look no further than the 111th celebration of Mardi Gras! Galveston.
Taking place Feb. 18 - March 1, Galveston’s Mardi Gras celebration will feature 22 parades and 22 concerts as the island’s krewes prepare to throw more than three million beads and other trinkets to throngs of revelers. For tickets, visit www.mardigrasgalveston.com.
Houston Texans defensive lineman Roy Lopez, a standout rookie and one of just 24 Latino players in the NFL in 2021, will serve as Grand Marshal of Mardi Gras! Galveston’s fifth annual Fiesta Gras celebration of Hispanic heritage on Sunday, Feb. 20. Lopez will lead a parade through the Galveston Historic District at 4 p.m. to close out the day's festivities. Fiesta Gras also will feature a 12 p.m. concert by San Antonio-based Tejano group La Dezz, a 1 p.m. parade and 2:30 p.m. headlining performance by Latin Grammy Award-winning Tejano group Siggno.
Other music headliners at Mardi Gras! Galveston include multi-platinum Mississippi rock group 3 Doors Down on Saturday, Feb. 19; and country artist Matt Stell on Friday, Feb. 25, on Mardi Gras! Galveston's First Responders Day, which offers free admission to first responders and anyone with a military ID plus a guest.
Mardi Gras! Galveston also has announced its inaugural Bead Recycling Program, with a goal to recycle one million beads in 2022. The program was launched to get Mardi Gras beads out of the trash while providing Life Skills students from Galveston's Ball High School the opportunity to collect, clean, sort and repackage the beads and raise profits for a future community center.
Founded in 1867, Mardi Gras! Galveston is the third-largest Mardi Gras celebration in the United States and the largest in Texas. Festival organizer Yaga’s Entertainment donates a portion of proceeds to charitable causes such as The Sunshine Kids, Shriners Hospital for Children, Galveston Education Foundation, Texas A&M Maritime Academy and local firefighters.
About Mardi Gras! Galveston
Mardi Gras, the traditional festival of feasting and merrymaking that precedes the season of Lent, was first publicly observed on Galveston Island in 1867. Following a sabbatical imposed in 1941 by war and challenging times, Mardi Gras! Galveston was revived in 1985 by Galveston-born preservationist and developer George P. Mitchell. The largest celebration of its kind in Texas and the third largest in the nation, Mardi Gras! Galveston brings the island’s streets to life with parade viewers shouting for beads, lively tunes played by the colorful marching bands, and the infectious merriment that dominates the island for two full weeks. The Island’s 111th annual Mardi Gras celebration, to be held Feb. 18 to Mar. 1, 2022, is expected to draw more than 350,000 attendees. For more information, visit https://www.mardigrasgalveston.com/.
When: Thursday, 8 p.m. EST
Where: Houston, TX
BetMGM Line: Rockets -10; Over/Under 219
BOTTOM LINE:
The New Orleans Pelicans are looking to end a four-game skid as they take on the Houston Rockets, who have established themselves as a force in the Western Conference this season.
The Rockets (17-9) currently sit third in the West and boast one of the league's best rebounding units, led by Alperen Sengun. Houston has dominated within the division, posting a 4-1 record against Southwest Division opponents. Meanwhile, the Pelicans (5-22) have struggled mightily, especially within their division, where they remain winless at 0-3.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR:
- Houston’s Rebounding Edge
The Rockets lead the Western Conference in rebounding, averaging 49.3 boards per game. Alperen Sengun has been a standout, contributing 10.6 rebounds along with 18.6 points and 5.2 assists per contest. This could spell trouble for a Pelicans squad that has been outmuscled on the glass in recent outings. - Pelicans’ Scoring Woes
New Orleans ranks last in the Western Conference in scoring, putting up just 105.1 points per game on 43.7% shooting. Their offense will be further hampered by injuries to key players like Brandon Ingram (ankle) and Zion Williamson (hamstring), leaving the team with limited options to generate points. - Defensive Disparities
While the Rockets aren’t elite defensively, allowing 106.1 points per game, they should benefit from the Pelicans' offensive struggles. Houston's opponents are shooting just 42.5% in the Rockets' last 10 games, a figure that contrasts with the 48.3% shooting New Orleans allows to opposing teams over the season.
RECENT FORM:
- Rockets: Houston is 6-4 over its last 10 games, averaging 108.0 points and 47.3 rebounds while holding opponents to 106.0 points. The Rockets have been solid on both ends, particularly in forcing turnovers, as they average 8.3 steals and 6.1 blocks per game.
- Pelicans: New Orleans has dropped nine of its last 10 games, scoring 107.3 points on 43.9% shooting while giving up a whopping 118.9 points per game to opponents. Injuries have ravaged the Pelicans’ lineup, leaving them vulnerable in both scoring and defense.
INJURY REPORT:
- Rockets: No injuries reported.
- Pelicans: Brandon Ingram (ankle) and Zion Williamson (hamstring) are out, while Jose Alvarado (hamstring) is also sidelined. Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, Karlo Matkovic, and Jordan Hawkins are listed as day-to-day.
KEY MATCHUP:
Alperen Sengun vs. the Pelicans' Interior Defense
Sengun’s ability to dominate the paint with his rebounding and passing could be a deciding factor. Without Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram, the Pelicans’ defense will be shorthanded and at risk of being overpowered by Houston’s size and depth.
PREDICTION:
The Rockets are heavy favorites for a reason. With no major injuries and a strong rebounding game, Houston should control the tempo and exploit the Pelicans’ lack of offensive firepower. Expect Houston to extend New Orleans’ losing streak in convincing fashion.
Final Score Prediction: Rockets 114, Pelicans 98
________________________________________
*ChatGPT assisted with this content.