Rockets Star’s Honest Zion Williamson Statement After Pelicans Game
The New Orleans Pelicans returned home after a four-game road trip but were defeated by the Houston Rockets 109-97 on Thursday night. New Orleans started the game strong, scoring 34 points in the first quarter, but offensive struggles in the second and third quarters allowed Houston to build a double-digit lead.
The Pelicans scored just 38 points combined in the second half, shooting below 40% for the game. Pelicans star Zion Williamson started the game slow after not getting the benefit of the whistle for much of the game. Williamson scored just 6 points in the first half but finished the game with a double-double with 20 points and 10 rebounds.
Houston Rockets center Alpereen Sengun scored a team-high 22 points on the night, helping the Rockets score 62 points in the paint overall. Houston’s defense stiffened on the Pelicans ball movement, holding the Pelicans to just 17 assists on the night. Sengun spoke to reporters after the game about the plan to slow down Williamson and the rest of the Pelicans.
“They have Zion, so that was the gameplan, we had to help and push in transition to make him tired, and that’s what we did.” Houston won the fast-break battle 23-12 on Thursday.
The two teams play again on Saturday in Houston as the final game between these teams this season. Houston has won three straight this year and captured the season series against the Pelicans. The victory ended the Rockets’ eight-game road losing streak. Tip-off for Saturday’s game in Houston is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. EST.
Rockets take over after halftime in a 109-97 road victory over Pelicans
NEW ORLEANS (AP) – Amen Thompson had 21 points and 11 rebounds and the Houston Rockets had a dominating second half to beat the New Orleans Pelicans 109-97 on Thursday night to open a home-and-home set.
Alperen Sengun added 22 points, eight assists and three steals, and Tari Eason scored 21 points as the Rockets snapped a three-game losing streak. They had lost their last eight road games.
Trey Murphy III scored 26 points to lead the Pelicans. Zion Williamson had 20 points and 10 rebounds.
Thompson had 12 points in the second half, including a dunk to cap the Rockets’ opening spurt right out of the break that put them ahead for the first time – and for the rest of the game. They later had a 12-0 run in the third quarter.
When Houston trailed by double figures in the first quarter, Thompson had a highlight two-handed slam. He went around rookie Yves Missi and made a double-clutch move to get the dunk.
Rockets: Houston, currently the fifth seed in the Western Conference, is 11-3 against division foes this season.
Pelicans: Williamson was only 5-of-15 shooting from the field, but did hit 10 of 12 free throws.
The Rockets never led until a 9-1 run in the first two minutes of the second half, a quick spurt that Thompson capped with a dunk. They led the rest of the way, going ahead by as many as 17 points.
Thompson had eight dunks.
The Rockets and Pelicans play again Saturday night, this time in Houston.
