Even with a short-handed roster, CJ McCollum and the Pelicans easily had enough to hold off visiting Houston during Wednesday’s uncompetitive 119-108 result (box score) in New Orleans. The Rockets, who lost head coach Stephen Silas early in the game due to an officiating rant, have now lost 10 of their last 11 games overall.
Houston (10-28) remains in last place in the Western Conference, while the Pelicans (24-14) are within a game of first place.
The Rockets were overwhelmed from the opening tipoff and trailed by as many as 31 points in the first half, though they made the final respectable amid strong efforts by Jabari Smith Jr. (14 points, 13 rebounds, 2 steals) and KJ Martin (16 points, 7-of-7 shooting, 2 steals). The defensive effort appeared to improve under lead assistant John Lucas, who took over as acting coach after the departure of Silas.
It was a forgettable night for Houston’s starting backcourt of Kevin Porter Jr. and Jalen Green, with both guards struggling defensively while combining to score 27 points on 9-of-26 shooting (34.6%).
That wasn’t nearly enough versus the Pelicans and McCollum, who scored a game-high 28 points on 10-of-21 shooting (47.6%) and 5-of-11 from 3-point range (45.5%) — all while dishing out 6 assists and not turning the ball over a single time. Veteran center Jonas Valanciunas added 16 points and a game-high 17 rebounds.
Brandon Ingram (left great toe contusion) and Zion Williamson (right hamstring strain) were both out for New Orleans due to injury.
Scroll on for highlights, analysis, and postgame interview reaction from Smoothie King Center. Houston returns to action on Thursday night at home, with the tip from Toyota Center at 7 p.m. Central.
Stephen Silas on if he got ejected to light a fire or if it was just reaction:
“I don’t know what it was. It was definitely reaction, for sure. But we needed to play better. I don’t necessarily think me being off the floor makes us play better, but we needed something.” pic.twitter.com/3IbtZesKf9
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) January 5, 2023
The five guys on the floor should start the game tomorrow night. Play the guys who actually give a damn. K.J. Martin should be lumped in with that group as well
— Adam Spolane (@AdamSpolane) January 5, 2023
After tonight’s loss the Houston Rockets will be 36-136 over their last 172 games. Two years of being at a 17 win pace.
— Nathan Fogg (@NathanFogg1) January 5, 2023
The body language for the Rockets looks bad…Very bad…#Sarge
— #SARGE (@BigSargeSportz) January 5, 2023
Lucas sits Sengun early in the third quarter
— Adam Spolane (@AdamSpolane) January 5, 2023
This is precisely what I wrote about when it comes to KJ. He makes everyone around him better. He runs hard on every break and is the best cutter on the team. Even on the Sengun foul, you see, he doesn’t just stand still. He needs to play more. pic.twitter.com/JVxcRdeQkZ
— Lachard Binkley (@BinkleyHoops) January 5, 2023
Pelicans 75, Rockets 52 at half. Pelicans led by as much as 31, two points shy of the largest deficit the Rockets have faced this season. The 45 first-quarter and 75 first-half points were the most for a Rockets opponent this season.
— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) January 5, 2023
It’s amazing how much better things look when the Rockets put in a professional effort
— Adam Spolane (@AdamSpolane) January 5, 2023
You can have bad shooting nights where shots just dont fall it happens to every team but the one thing no team can do especially a rebuilding team is get outworked. This is the only fire I have seen from anyone tonight. The players have to show some type of fight pic.twitter.com/oh86vc751g
— Lachard Binkley (@BinkleyHoops) January 5, 2023
The last-straw call that set Silas off was an offensive foul on Usman Garuba for a screen he set in the backcourt on Naji Marshall.
— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) January 5, 2023
The lack of effort and focus the Rockets are playing with is staggering
— Adam Spolane (@AdamSpolane) January 5, 2023
I am going to need the chemistry between Jalen and Jabari to get better on the offensive end…Jalen has to swing it to him when he is open and then reposition himself. #Sarge
— #SARGE (@BigSargeSportz) January 5, 2023
Jalen Green has so much potential as an off-ball threat but the #Rockets don’t seem interested in tapping into it at all
— Roosh (@RooshWilliams) January 5, 2023
More KPJ: “Our energy was off at the start of the game. Like I said, I’m the head honcho and I didn’t come out with the right energy so It was contagious to my guys out there.”
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) January 5, 2023
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