Pelicans Dismantle Rockets, 120-107, as Houston’s Struggles Continue
Pleading the Third. Brandon-Named Killer. Chemistry Search.
As was the case against the Spurs, the Rockets managed to make the first half competitive. However, once the third quarter rolled around, that’s all she wrote, as Houston was dominated again in the period following halftime. The Rockets were outscored by 15 in the quarter. en route to a 120-107 loss to the Pelicans on Sunday night. Christian Wood led Houston with 22 points. For some good news, Jalen Green continues to look better over these past four games. Green scored 18 points on improved efficiency. Garrison Matthews and Jae’Sean Tate provided their regular sparks with 18 points and 15 points respectively, but the Rockets needed more energy from the rest of the squad.
Brandon Ingram, by now a name-brand Rocket-killer, once again torched Houston, scoring 33 points to lead New Orleans. The Pelicans got another solid game from Jaxson Hayes, who scored 21 points and grabbed 7 boards, proving to be a real obstacle for Houston in the post.
These two teams will be back at it on Tuesday night for a rematch in the Big Easy. Hopefully the Rockets can rekindle that winning chemistry they found on their five-game road-trip last month. Expect the rematch to be more competitive. Houston knows quite well that it’s hard to beat the same team twice in a row. The Rockets aim to put some truth in that statement on Tuesday night by putting up more of a fight.