ROCKETS DEFEAT PELICANS
Critical takeaways from Rockets' 133-113 win over Pelicans
Dec 20, 2024, 10:15 am
Jalen Green had a big night! Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images.
Jalen Green scored 34 points to lead the Houston Rockets to a 133-113 win over the New Orleans Pelicans on Thursday night.
Green had a season-high 22 points in the third quarter and shot 13 of 22 in the game, including 4 for 10 from beyond the arc. Green entered shooting 31.3% from long distance this season.
Dillon Brooks scored 26 points, and Alperen Sengun added 23 points and nine rebounds as the Rockets improved to 11-3 at home.
Trey Murphy III scored 28 points, and Herb Jones had 20 for the Pelicans, who have lost five straight and fell to 1-14 on the road.
Takeaways
Pelicans: New Orleans entered Thursday allowing the second-most fast-break points in the NBA at 19.6 points per game, and the Rockets exploited that weakness, outscoring New Orleans 26-11 in transition points. The Pelicans were missing C Daniel Theis (personal reasons), while Zion Williamson and José Alvarado remained sidelined with hamstring strains.
Rockets: When the Rockets are hitting their 3-pointers, they can be a tough team to handle. Houston now embarks on a three-game trip to Toronto, Charlotte and New Orleans, facing teams with a combined record of 19-44.
Key moment
After both teams scored 27 in the second quarter, the Rockets opened the second half on a 15-3 run, jumping to a 25-point lead that New Orleans never overcame.
Key stat
Houston shot 7 for 10 from 3-point range in the first quarter, tying for its most 3s made in any quarter this season. The Rockets finished the game 17 of 39 from distance, for 43.6%.
Up next
The Pelicans return to New Orleans for a five-game homestand that starts with the Knicks on Saturday night, while Houston visits Toronto on Sunday.
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Astros show signs of life in blowout win over Brewers
May 7, 2025, 3:25 pm
Houston Astros slugger Yordan Alvarez has a strained muscle at the top of his right hand, a diagnosis that instills optimism he won’t have a prolonged stay on the injured list.
The three-time All-Star went on the 10-day injured list Monday, retroactive to Saturday, and returned to Houston for an MRI that revealed the muscle strain.
“We look at it as good news,” Astros manager Joe Espada said before their Wednesday afternoon game with the Milwaukee Brewers.
Espada expressed hope that Alvarez wouldn’t have to stay on the injured list longer than the required 10 days. He also said the hand issue may have played a role in Alvarez’s slow start.
Alvarez, 27, is hitting .210 with a .306 on-base percentage, three homers and 18 RBIs in 29 games this season. He batted .308 with a .392 on-base percentage, 35 homers and 86 RBIs in 147 games last year while ranking ninth in the AL Most Valuable Player balloting.
He has posted an OPS of at least .959 and has finished 13th or higher in the MVP voting each of the last three seasons.
“Once he heals, once he gets back, I think we’ll see a more aggressive at bat and be not as cautious,” Espada said. “I think it had something to do with it, yes.”
His potential return could go a long way toward boosting an Astros lineup that hasn’t been as productive as usual this season. The Astros entered Wednesday’s action ranked 21st in the majors in runs (136) and 23rd in OPS (.676). Houston has ranked 11th or better in both those categories each of the last four seasons.