Jalen Green’s 25 points and Alperen Sengun’s 24 fueled the Houston Rockets’ triumphant 104-101 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans, extending their winning streak to five, the longest since January 2021.
Fred VanVleet’s clutch performance, including consecutive late-game 3-pointers and 10 points in the fourth quarter, played a pivotal role in the Rockets’ success.
New Orleans, initially leading 79-70 entering the fourth, faced a resilient Houston squad. The Rockets, behind VanVleet’s heroics, secured a 101-100 lead with a minute remaining and eventually claimed the victory.
Notably, the game featured intense moments, including a brief altercation between Jonas Valanciunas and Dillon Brooks, adding drama to the already charged atmosphere. Valanciunas, contributing 15 points and nine rebounds, later fouled out of the game.
Brandon Ingram led the Pelicans with an impressive 31 points, while Zion Williamson added 24 points and eight rebounds.
Despite Houston’s early 14-point lead, the Pelicans closed the gap, trailing 54-48 at halftime before seizing control in the third quarter.
The game witnessed 14 lead changes, reflecting its competitive nature, with New Orleans committing 18 turnovers compared to Houston’s nine.
Jae’Sean Tate’s ejection in the second quarter added to the game’s intensity. The Pelicans played without CJ McCollum, Jose Alvarado, and Herb Jones, facing challenges due to injuries.
