BIG NEWS
The Hall of Fame with Booker T & Brad Gilmore premieres on ESPN 97.5 tonight; WWE honors tag team
Mar 4, 2019, 4:53 pm
Courtesy photo.
Booker T. and Brad Gilmore are an exciting new addition to the ESPN 97.5 lineup and will get started on Monday, March 11. The show will air from 9-11PM on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. The Hall of Fame will discuss all things sports and of course will feature plenty of wrestling, MMA, boxing and more.
Booker T. is not new to sports talk radio having hosted his own show in the Houston market for several years. He and Brad Gilmore can't wait to get started and will bring plenty of energy and hot takes three times per week. You can listen live on the radio or with the ESPN 97.5 radio app.
Meanwhile, Booker T and his tag team partner Stevie Ray - aka Harlem Heat - are being inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame.
According to the press release:
The 10-time WCW Tag Team Champions, Booker T and Stevie Ray, also known as Harlem Heat are taking their rightful place in the WWE Hall of Fame. Harlem Heat debuted in WCW after wrestling in the Global Wrestling Federation as "The Ebony Experience" and quickly became one of the top teams in the business. Pro Wrestling Illustrated named Harlem Heat the "Tag Team of the Year" in 1995 and 1996 as well they were ranked in the Top 25 Greatest Tag Teams of All Time. Booker T and Stevie Ray would team together until 2000 before finally reuniting for one last time at "The Final Heat" in 2015 and won the Reality of Wrestling Tag Team Championships. After winning 38 Championships between them and going into the Cauliflower Alley Club Hall of Fame in 2018, Harlem Heat solidifies their place in professional wrestling history by being inducted to the WWE Hall of Fame, Class of 2019.
The 2019 WWE Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will be live from the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY on April 6th, 2019, the day before WWE WrestleMania 35 at MetLife Stadium and will be televised on the USA Network at 7pm CST.
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
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