Rockets Fly Past Pelicans in Dominant 133-113 Win
Offensive Outpour. Green Icing. Christmas Gift.
In their final game at Toyota Center before Christmas, Houston wasted no time in dismantling the New Orleans Pelicans on Thursday night. The Rockets flew past the Pelicans quickly, blowing them out of Toyota Center with a 133-113 victory. This game was one of Houston’s best offensive showings of the entire season. The Rockets scored 39 points in the first quarter, their highest in the opening frame all year. Houston used a 30-9 run in the middle of the first quarter to seize control of the game. Led by Jalen Green’s 34 points, the starters for Houston combined to score 111 of the Rockets total 133 points. Dillon Brooks started the charge with a 20-point first half. “The Villain” finished with 26 points on the evening, and Alperen Sengun registered 23 points, 9 rebounds, and 7 assists in the win. But this victory was fueled by Green.
As New Orleans attempted to cut into Houston’s lead, Jalen Green ensured the Rockets would come out victorious. Green scored 22 of his 34 points in the third frame to ice the game for Houston. It’s also the most points Green has ever scored in a quarter in young career. This is the Jalen Green the Rockets are hoping to see on a most consistent basis. He’s shown flashes of All-Star potential, like in Thursday’s win. However, Green has yet to show the consistency needed in order to gain true respect from his peers as a legitimate All-Star caliber player. As Houston’s schedule continues to soften over the next three contests, Green has a chance to string a patch of solid performances together, hopefully instilling some consistent habits in his game.
As Thursday’s win over the Pelicans was the Rockets’ final home game before Christmas, the squad was able to leave their fans with a gift before they hit the road for a three-game trip that concludes with a rematch in New Orleans between these teams. Houston can pile on some wins if they continue playing disciplined basketball as they enter this holiday road trip. Besides the Pelicans, the Rockets will travel north of the border to Toronto to face the Raptors, followed by a matchup the next day in Charlotte against the Hornets. All three of these upcoming opponents are near the bottom of their respective conferences, so if Houston doesn’t overlook these matchups, the Rockets should have a winning streak over the upcoming Christmas holidays.