Jonas Valanciunas scored 25 points, Brandon Ingram added 24, and the two combined for 24 rebounds as the New Orleans Pelicans defeated the Houston Rockets 110-99 on Wednesday night.
New Orleans led by five at the start of the fourth quarter before scoring the next 15 points to make it 99-79 with little under 6 1/2 minutes left. Jose Alvarado nailed a three-pointer during that time, and Valanciunas scored six points to help the Pelicans extend their lead.
The Rockets missed eight shots and made two turnovers in the fourth quarter before Fred VanVleet scored their first points on a jump shot halfway through.
“That group that was in the game did a great job of getting stops,” coach Willie Green stated. “We were getting open looks or completing with paint. We talk about Jonas; he got us started.”
Houston’s Jalen Green was frustrated that his team let the game slip away after being close in the fourth quarter.
“We didn’t get any stops,” he explained. “We weren’t scoring and they were doing whatever they want.”
The Pelicans were up by 18 until Houston used an 11-1 run, including threes from VanVleet, Green, and Dillon Brooks, to cut the lead to 105-97 with approximately two minutes remaining.
But Trey Murphy III hit a three for New Orleans a few seconds later, ending Houston’s run.
“We just continued offensively with our force and pace,” Willie Green explained. “We did not let their physicality upset us offensively. Solid effort from both ends of the floor.”
Jalen Green led the Rockets with 31 points, while VanVleet contributed 16.
“Some guys had tough nights there and didn’t play with energy,” Houston coach Ime Udoka remarked. “It’s tough when a lot of guys aren’t playing well overall.”
CJ McCollum scored 19 points for the Pelicans on a night when Zion Williamson was sidelined for the second time in four games due to a bone bruise in his left foot.
Willie Green praised about Valanciunas’ work while Williamson was injured.
“He was fantastic,” the coach commented. “JV was really locked in and focused on doing what was needed to help us win the game.”
The Pelicans led by seven at halftime and opened the third quarter with a 10-3 run, including six points by Ingram, to increase their lead to 71-57 with approximately eight minutes remaining.
Green scored five points in a 9-2 run that pulled the Rockets within 73-66 with approximately 5 1/2 minutes remaining in the third.
New Orleans led by eight following Naji Marshall’s three-pointer later in the quarter, but Houston scored the next six points, including a two-handed dunk by freshman Cam Whitmore, to narrow the margin to 79-77 with approximately 1 1/2 minutes left in the quarter.
However, the Pelicans closed the third quarter with a 5-2 run, taking an 84-79 advantage into the fourth.
Jabari Smith Jr. struggled for the Rockets in his second game back after missing the previous four due to an ankle ailment. He shot 0 for 6 and had only one rebound.
