Jalen Green scored 30 points in under 30 minutes, leading the Houston Rockets to a commanding 128-111 victory over the injury-riddled New Orleans Pelicans on Thursday night.
Fred VanVleet contributed significantly with 25 points, including seven 3-pointers, as the Rockets extended their winning streak to four games and improved to six wins in their last seven outings. This performance has propelled Houston to second place in the highly competitive Western Conference.
Off the bench, Cam Whitmore added 27 points, while center Alperen Sengun recorded a double-double with 10 points and 13 rebounds. The Rockets built a substantial lead, going up by as much as 30 in the second half, allowing their starters to rest for most of the fourth quarter.
For the Pelicans, Trey Murphy led the scoring with 21 points, but the team has now lost eight consecutive games and 17 of their last 18. Brandon Boston and Dejounte Murray each chipped in 17 points, while CJ McCollum added 13. Like the Rockets, the Pelicans limited their starters to 31 minutes or fewer as the game slipped out of reach.
Key Takeaways:
Rockets: Houston’s strong form was evident from the outset, as they never trailed, leading by 17 points in the first quarter and 21 at halftime.
Pelicans: The team continues to struggle without key players, as Zion Williamson has missed 22 consecutive games, resulting in just two wins during that stretch. Brandon Ingram missed his seventh straight game, and the Pelicans are 0-13 without him.
Key Moment: Early in the third quarter, Green and VanVleet each hit two 3-pointers around a dunk by Sengun, pushing the Rockets’ lead to 75-51.
Key Stat: VanVleet, Green, and Whitmore combined to shoot 17 of 31 from beyond the arc, contributing to the Rockets’ overall 38.3% shooting from 3-point range (18 of 47).
Next Up: The Rockets will host the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday night, while the Pelicans will face the Memphis Grizzlies at home.
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