HOUSTON (AP) — The Houston Rockets showcased their offensive prowess on Thursday night, defeating the New Orleans Pelicans 133-113 at the Toyota Center. The win elevated the Rockets to 18-9 this season, marking their best start since the 2017-18 season. Jalen Green led the charge with 34 points, demonstrating sharp shooting throughout the game, particularly with 22 of those points coming during a stellar third quarter.
Green exhibited form hardly seen this season, shooting 59% from the field (13 of 22) and nailing 4 of 10 from beyond the arc. His performance highlighted the Rockets' dynamic style which emphasizes fast breaks and sharp shooting. Dillon Brooks added to the scoring spree with 26 points, and Alperen Sengun contributed 23 points along with nine rebounds.
The win was particularly poignant for the Rockets, who have shown improvement on both ends of the court this season. Coach Ime Udoka remarked earlier this season about the necessity for the Rockets to increase their pace for easier shot opportunities, and on this night, their offense fired on all cylinders. The Rockets finished the game shooting 57.5% from the field and 43.6% from three-point range, clearly taking advantage of the Pelicans' defensive lapses.
Trey Murphy III was the leading scorer for the Pelicans with 28 points, but his efforts were insufficient to alter the outcome, as the team fell to 5-23 and now faces the scrutiny of losing five straight games. Herb Jones also contributed with 20 points, but the overall performance did not keep pace with the Rockets.
The Pelicans entered this matchup with one of the worst records and struggled defensively, allowing the Rockets to exploit their weaknesses. The stat sheet revealed glaring discrepancies, particularly with the Pelicans giving up 28 fast-break points compared to their own 11. Pelicans' head coach Willie Green addressed the team's physicality, noting, "A lot of it had to do with our lack of physicality against these guys. You've got to be locked in for 48 minutes, communicating defensively and finishing possessions."
Throughout the match, the Rockets demonstrated explosive efficiency, scoring over 30 points in three out of four quarters. The turning point can be traced to their dominant start to the second half, wherein they opened with a 15-3 run, extending their lead to 25 points—an advantage the Pelicans could never overcome.
Interestingly, the Pelicans' struggles on defense have resulted from rotating through 17 different lineups this season, creating inconsistency on the court. This instability contrasts starkly with the Rockets, who have found their rhythm with just two different starting lineups this season.
This latest defeat left the Pelicans with only one victory on the road (1-14 overall), showcasing their difficulties away from home. They next return to New Orleans for a five-game homestand, starting with the New York Knicks on Saturday, wherein they desperately need to find their footing.
The postseason aspirations for both teams are becoming clearer—the Rockets, now tied for third place in the Western Conference, are positioning themselves as serious contenders; meanwhile, the Pelicans' numerous injuries and performance issues have raised questions about their future outlook.
With the loss, palpable frustrations lingered among Pelicans players. Green, reflecting on the game, stated, "It was too many moments where we worked our tails off to get back in it, and then we made a turnover here, a turnover there and they go back and score."
The Rockets will now prepare for their next encounter against the Toronto Raptors on Sunday, as they attempt to carry forward their momentum from this comprehensive victory. For the Pelicans, rectifying their issues quickly will be pivotal if they wish to turn their season around as they continue to grapple with their troubled start.
