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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L.J. Cryer scored 18 points, Milos Uzan added 17 points and No. 5 Houston rebounded from its first Big 12 loss of the season with a 72-63 win over Oklahoma State on Tuesday night.
J’Wan Roberts had 14 points and 10 rebounds, and Terrance Arceneaux had 10 points for Houston (18-4, 10-1 Big 12), which shot 42% and went 8 of 21 on 3-pointers.
The Cougars lost to Texas Tech 82-81 in overtime on Saturday, and improved to 31-2 after a loss since Feb. 1, 2017.
Abou Ousmane scored 16 points, Arturo Dean added 13 points and Bryce Thompson had 11 points for Oklahoma State (11-11, 3-8), which lost for the fourth time in its last five games.
The Cowboys shot 51% and were 7 of 19 on 3-pointers.
Takeaways
Oklahoma State: The Cowboys missed an opportunity for a marquee win after jumping to an 18-9 lead and opening the game shooting 8 of 10 from the field. Oklahoma State had issues with Houston’s defensive pressure and couldn’t stop the Cougars on the boards.
Houston: Missing second-leading scorer Emanuel Sharp and reserve Ja’Vier Francis, who were out of the lineup with injuries, the Cougars started slowly. However, Houston recovered to make 11 of its final 16 field goals of the first half and take a 39-33 lead into halftime.
Key moment
After Oklahoma State cut Houston’s lead to 68-63 with 30 seconds remaining, Mylik Wilson and Cryer each made two free throws to ice the win.
Key stat
Houston outrebounded Oklahoma State 40-24, including an 18-4 advantage in offensive rebounds, which the Cougars turned into 16 second-chance points.
Up next
Houston travels to Colorado on Saturday. Oklahoma State hosts Arizona State on Sunday.