The Houston Rockets secured a commanding 128-111 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on Thursday, propelled by standout performances from Jalen Green, Fred VanVleet, and Cam Whitmore.
Green erupted for 30 points in just under 30 minutes, delivering one of his most efficient outings this season. His contributions helped the Rockets, now 21-9, extend their winning streak to four games and solidify their position as the second seed in the Western Conference.
VanVleet added 25 points, including seven three-pointers, demonstrating his sharp shooting against a struggling Pelicans squad. Whitmore contributed a career-high 27 points off the bench, further showcasing Houston’s depth.
The Rockets’ dominance was evident early, as they built a 17-point lead by the end of the first quarter and expanded it to 21 by halftime. Green, VanVleet, and Alperen Sengun combined for a quick scoring burst to open the third quarter, pushing Houston’s lead to 24 points within the first four minutes of the half.
Sengun finished with 10 points and 13 rebounds, anchoring Houston’s presence in the paint. The team collectively shot 47.4% from the field and connected on 38.3% of their three-point attempts, with Green, VanVleet, and Whitmore combining for 17 of their 18 total three-pointers.
The injury-plagued Pelicans, now 5-26, struggled to keep pace. Trey Murphy led New Orleans with 21 points, while Brandon Boston Jr. and Dejounte Murray added 17 points each. CJ McCollum contributed 13, but the Pelicans were unable to mount a competitive effort.
New Orleans has been without key players for an extended period, including Zion Williamson, who has missed 22 consecutive games, and Brandon Ingram, who sat out his seventh straight game. Their absence has severely impacted the Pelicans’ performance, as the team has lost eight straight and 17 of their last 18 games.
