Game ID: 22300798
Houston Rockets @ New Orleans Pelicans
Thursday, February 22, 2024 at 8:00 PM ET
Smoothie King Center, New Orleans, LA
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Final
NOP 31 32 38 26 127HOU 27 23 29 26 105
HOU @ NOP ScoutingHOU @ NOP Scouting
Welcome to the scouting desk. The coffee is cold, the film is play-by-play, and somebody has to explain what happened.
Every game has a hinge — a stretch where it was decided, usually while everyone was watching something else. Start where the evidence lives: the Lineups' face-offs say which five actually won their minutes; the Possessions ledger says who ran ahead of the night's own pace; the Shot Chart says where the points really came from, which is rarely where the highlights were. When all three agree, that is the story. When they don't — that is why this desk has a chair.
NOP availability going into 2/09 · 1 day's restOUT Ryan missed 38 since 11/20, out tonight
BACK Jones back 2/05 after 2, 26 min since (86% of 31)
NOP availability going into 2/10 · back-to-backOUT Marshall missed 2 since 2/07, returns tonight: 18 min (92% of 19)
OUT Ryan missed 39 since 11/20, returns tonight: 5 min (36% of 14)
BACK Jones back 2/05 after 2, 27 min since (88% of 31)
NOP availability going into 2/12 · 1 day's restBACK Jones back 2/05 after 2, 30 min since (97% of 31)
BACK Marshall back 2/10 after 2, 18 min since (92% of 19)
BACK Ryan back 2/10 after 39, 5 min since (36% of 14)
NOP availability going into 2/14 · 1 day's restOUT Daniels missed 2 since 2/10, out tonight
BACK Jones back 2/05 after 2, 31 min since (100% of 31)
BACK Marshall back 2/10 after 2, 15 min since (80% of 19)
BACK Ryan back 2/10 after 39, 5 min since (36% of 14)
NOP availability going into 2/22 · 7 days' restOUT Daniels missed 3 since 2/10, out tonight
OUT Hawkins missed 2 since 2/12, returns tonight: 17 min (102% of 17)
OUT Ryan missed 2 since 2/12, returns tonight: 2 min (16% of 14)
BACK Marshall back 2/10 after 2, 18 min since (95% of 19)
NOP availability going into 2/23 · back-to-backOUT Daniels missed 4 since 2/10, out tonight
BACK Marshall back 2/10 after 2, 19 min since (97% of 19)
BACK Hawkins back 2/22 after 2, 17 min since (102% of 17)
BACK Ryan back 2/10 after 39, 4 min since (26% of 14)
NOP availability going into 2/25 · 1 day's restOUT Ingram missed 2 since 2/22, returns tonight: 39 min (117% of 33)
OUT Daniels missed 5 since 2/10, out tonight
BACK Marshall back 2/10 after 2, 17 min since (91% of 19)
BACK Hawkins back 2/22 after 2, 20 min since (119% of 17)
BACK Ryan back 2/10 after 39, 4 min since (26% of 14)
NOP availability going into 2/27 · 1 day's restOUT Daniels missed 6 since 2/10, out tonight
BACK Ingram back 2/25 after 2, 39 min since (117% of 33)
BACK Hawkins back 2/22 after 2, 18 min since (109% of 17)
BACK Ryan back 2/22 after 2, 11 min since (80% of 14)
NOP availability going into 2/28 · back-to-backOUT McCollum missed 2 since 2/25, returns tonight: 34 min (105% of 33)
OUT Daniels missed 7 since 2/10, out tonight
OUT Alvarado missed 2 since 2/25, out tonight
BACK Ingram back 2/25 after 2, 36 min since (109% of 33)
BACK Hawkins back 2/22 after 2, 18 min since (107% of 17)
BACK Ryan back 2/22 after 2, 11 min since (83% of 14)
HOU availability going into 2/09 · 2 days' restBACK Smith Jr. back 1/29 after 4, 28 min since (88% of 32)
BACK Landale back 2/04 after 3, 7 min since (49% of 14)
HOU availability going into 2/10 · back-to-backOUT VanVleet missed 2 since 2/06, out tonight
OUT Landale missed 2 since 2/06, returns tonight: 13 min (94% of 14)
HOU availability going into 2/12 · 1 day's restOUT VanVleet missed 3 since 2/06, out tonight
BACK Landale back 2/04 after 3, 10 min since (71% of 14)
NEW Thompson 22 to 28 min over the last 5
HOU availability going into 2/14 · 1 day's restOUT VanVleet missed 4 since 2/06, out tonight
OUT Whitmore missed 2 since 2/10, out tonight
BACK Landale back 2/04 after 3, 10 min since (71% of 14)
NEW Thompson 22 to 31 min over the last 5
NEW Holiday 16 to 23 min over the last 5
HOU availability going into 2/22 · 7 days' restOUT VanVleet missed 5 since 2/06, returns tonight: 30 min (83% of 37)
OUT Whitmore missed 3 since 2/10, returns tonight: 24 min (130% of 19)
OUT Landale missed 2 since 2/12, returns tonight: 12 min (88% of 14)
NEW Thompson 22 to 34 min over the last 5
NEW Holiday 16 to 26 min over the last 5
HOU availability going into 2/23 · back-to-backBACK VanVleet back 2/22 after 5, 30 min since (83% of 37)
BACK Whitmore back 2/22 after 3, 24 min since (130% of 19)
BACK Landale back 2/10 after 2, 12 min since (91% of 14)
NEW Thompson 22 to 33 min over the last 5
NEW Holiday 16 to 23 min over the last 5
HOU availability going into 2/25 · 1 day's restBACK VanVleet back 2/22 after 5, 33 min since (91% of 37)
BACK Whitmore back 2/22 after 3, 22 min since (120% of 19)
BACK Landale back 2/10 after 2, 12 min since (91% of 14)
NEW Thompson 22 to 33 min over the last 5
HOU availability going into 2/27 · 1 day's restOUT Tate missed 2 since 2/23, returns tonight: 2 min (16% of 16)
BACK VanVleet back 2/22 after 5, 35 min since (95% of 37)
BACK Whitmore back 2/22 after 3, 21 min since (110% of 19)
BACK Landale back 2/22 after 2, 7 min since (50% of 14)
NEW Thompson 22 to 31 min over the last 5
HOU availability going into 2/29 · 1 day's restBACK VanVleet back 2/22 after 5, 35 min since (96% of 37)
BACK Whitmore back 2/22 after 3, 19 min since (104% of 19)
BACK Tate back 2/27 after 2, 2 min since (16% of 16)
BACK Landale back 2/22 after 2, 5 min since (39% of 14)
I Know — the desk, before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
New Orleans comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 112 a night and allowing 108, shooting 50 percent and 36 from three, 22 free throws a game; Williamson at 25 and McCollum at 18 a game. That is 3 straight wins. Without Daniels (3 straight), Hawkins (2 straight). 7 days' rest. Houston comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 113 a night and allowing 117, shooting 45 percent and 36 from three, 24 free throws a game; Brooks at 20 and Ja. Green at 17 a game. It has won the glass by 9 a night. Without VanVleet (5 straight), Whitmore (3 straight). 7 days' rest.
So: New Orleans wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Houston has been plus-9 a night and New Orleans plus-3 and the defense, New Orleans allowing 108 a night to Houston's 117. Call it New Orleans 116, Houston 110.
2/09 @ LAL 122-139 — NOP notes
NOP lost 122-139. NOP shot 52% (46 of 89) to LAL's 56%, 11 of 29 from three, and got to the line 23 times to LAL's 32. NOP turned it over 13 times to LAL's 7. Williamson led with 30 (12 of 19, 6 of 7 at the line); Ingram added 22, McCollum 19. Q1 was theirs, 39-36, but the other 3 periods went 103-83 against them. Murphy III's -19 in 19 minutes was the worst on the floor.
2/10 @ POR 93-84 — NOP notes
NOP won 93-84. NOP shot 47% (36 of 76) to POR's 43%, 10 of 27 from three. NOP turned it over 12 times to POR's 17. Murphy III led with 24 (7 of 10, 5 of 8 from three, 5 of 6 at the line); Ingram added 17, Valančiūnas 16. The hinge was Q4, 29-21: a lead of 1 became 9. McCollum was the night's best plus/minus at +22.
2/12 @ MEM 96-87 — NOP notes
NOP won 96-87. NOP shot 41% (32 of 78) to MEM's 42%, 13 of 35 from three, and went to the line 24 times to MEM's 8 — 19 points from the stripe to their 7. The glass went 49-36 for them. Jones led with 17 (5 of 9, 3 of 6 from three); Ingram added 16, Williamson 14. The hinge was Q2, 30-21: a lead of 5 became 14, and the lead reached 25. Nance Jr. was the night's best plus/minus at +28.
2/14 vs WAS 133-126 — NOP notes
NOP won 133-126. NOP shot 56% (50 of 89) to WAS's 48%, 10 of 32 from three, and went to the line 29 times to WAS's 20 — 23 points from the stripe to their 17. NOP turned it over 10 times to WAS's 19. Williamson led with 36 (15 of 21, 6 of 9 at the line); McCollum added 26, Ingram 18. The hinge was Q4, 34-28: a lead of 1 became 7, and the lead reached 20. Marshall was the night's best plus/minus at +21.
2/22 vs HOU 127-105 — NOP notes
NOP won 127-105. NOP shot 52% (50 of 96) to HOU's 44%, 16 of 41 from three, and got to the line 18 times to HOU's 28. NOP turned it over 13 times to HOU's 22. McCollum led with 28 (11 of 22, 4 of 10 from three); Williamson added 27, Valančiūnas 20. The hinge was Q2, 32-23: a lead of 4 became 13, and the lead reached 29. Jones was the night's best plus/minus at +36.
2/23 vs MIA — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
New Orleans comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 114 a night and allowing 108, shooting 50 percent and 37 from three, 22 free throws a game; Williamson at 27 and McCollum at 18 a game. That is 4 straight wins. Without Daniels (4 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. Miami comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 115 a night and allowing 102, shooting 49 percent and 35 from three, 18 free throws a game; Herro at 21 and Adebayo at 19 a game. It has won the glass by 4 a night. Without Butler III (3 straight), Rozier (2 straight), Richardson (2 straight). 8 days' rest.
So: New Orleans wins, and the game turns on the defense, Miami allowing 102 a night to New Orleans's 108. Call it New Orleans 112, Miami 111, Miami keeping it close.
2/25 vs CHI — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
New Orleans comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 109 a night and allowing 102, shooting 47 percent and 34 from three, 20 free throws a game; Williamson at 25 and Ingram at 17 a game. Without Ingram (2 straight), Daniels (5 straight). One day's rest. Chicago comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 116 a night and allowing 117, shooting 49 percent and 40 from three, 20 free throws a game; DeRozan at 26 and White at 21 a game. 2 days' rest.
So: New Orleans wins, and the game turns on the defense, New Orleans allowing 102 a night to Chicago's 117 and the arc, Chicago at 40 percent from three to New Orleans's 34. Call it New Orleans 115, Chicago 109.
2/27 @ NYK — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
New York comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 106 a night and allowing 109, shooting 45 percent and 38 from three, 20 free throws a game; Brunson at 30 and DiVincenzo at 18 a game. It has won the glass by 5 a night. Without Randle (12 straight), Anunoby (12 straight), Robinson (37 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. New Orleans comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 111 a night and allowing 108, shooting 46 percent and 34 from three, 20 free throws a game; Williamson at 24 and Ingram at 19 a game. Without Daniels (6 straight). One day's rest.
So: New Orleans wins, on the road, in a game with no one edge to lean on. Call it New Orleans 111, New York 110, New York keeping it close.
2/28 @ IND — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Indiana comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 123 a night and allowing 118, shooting 51 percent and 36 from three, 20 free throws a game; Turner at 21 and Siakam at 20 a game. It has lost the glass by 5 a night. Without Nesmith (3 straight). One day's rest. New Orleans comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 115 a night and allowing 109, shooting 48 percent and 37 from three, 19 free throws a game; Williamson at 25 and Ingram at 21 a game. Without McCollum (2 straight), Daniels (7 straight), Alvarado (2 straight). Second night of a back-to-back.
So: Indiana wins, and the game turns on the glass, where New Orleans has been plus-2 a night and Indiana minus-5 and the defense, New Orleans allowing 109 a night to Indiana's 118. Call it Indiana 119, New Orleans 116, New Orleans keeping it close.
2/09 @ TOR 104-107 — HOU notes
HOU lost 104-107. HOU shot 45% (38 of 85) to TOR's 42%, 15 of 38 from three. HOU turned it over 21 times to TOR's 11, and TOR turned those into 14 steals. Brooks led with 20 (6 of 13, 4 of 5 from three); Whitmore added 17, Smith Jr. 12. Q4 was theirs, 33-19, the deficit cut from 17 to 3, but the other 3 periods went 88-71 against them. Ja. Green's -23 in 22 minutes was the worst on the floor.
2/10 @ ATL 113-122 — HOU notes
HOU lost 113-122. HOU took 12 more shots (100 to 88), fed by 16 offensive rebounds, but shot 44% to ATL's 45%, 13 of 43 from three, and got to the line 19 times to ATL's 37. HOU turned it over 17 times to ATL's 11. The glass went 58-41 for them. Ja. Green led with 26 (10 of 22, 2 of 9 from three, 4 of 7 at the line); Je. Green added 19, Holiday 18. Q1 was theirs, 31-19, but the other 3 periods went 103-82 against them. They led by as many as 12. Je. Green's -20 in 31 minutes was the worst on the floor.
2/12 vs NYK 105-103 — HOU notes
HOU won 105-103. HOU shot 45% (36 of 80) to NYK's 46%, 10 of 26 from three, and went to the line 33 times to NYK's 12 — 23 points from the stripe to their 7. HOU turned it over 11 times to NYK's 16. The glass went 39-51 against them. Brooks led with 23 (8 of 15, 6 of 7 from three); Smith Jr. added 20, Sengun 18. The hinge was Q1, 29-22: from level to 7 ahead, and the lead reached 16. Williams was the night's best plus/minus at +15.
2/14 @ MEM 113-121 — HOU notes
HOU lost 113-121. HOU took 23 more shots (102 to 79), fed by 22 offensive rebounds, but shot 41% to MEM's 49%, 11 of 36 from three, and got to the line 28 times to MEM's 41. The glass went 56-46 for them. Brooks led with 19 (5 of 17, 2 of 10 from three, 7 of 7 at the line); Sengun added 19, Thompson 19. Q2 was theirs, 28-22, the deficit cut from 15 to 9, but the other 3 periods went 99-85 against them. Holiday's -14 in 30 minutes was the worst on the floor.
2/22 @ NOP 105-127 — HOU notes
HOU lost 105-127. HOU shot 44% (36 of 82) to NOP's 52%, 15 of 41 from three, and went to the line 28 times to NOP's 18 — 18 points from the stripe to their 11. HOU turned it over 22 times to NOP's 13, and NOP turned those into 16 steals. Thompson led with 22 (9 of 13, 1 of 3 from three); Sengun added 20, Whitmore 13. Q4 was theirs, 26-26, but the other 3 periods went 101-79 against them. VanVleet's -21 in 30 minutes was the worst on the floor.
2/23 vs PHX — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Houston comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 108 a night and allowing 116, shooting 44 percent and 35 from three, 25 free throws a game; Brooks at 17 and Sengun at 16 a game. It has won the glass by 5 a night. Second night of a back-to-back. Phoenix comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 120 a night and allowing 115, shooting 50 percent and 39 from three, 27 free throws a game; Durant at 26 and Booker at 25 a game. It has lost the glass by 6 a night. Without Beal (2 straight). Second night of a back-to-back.
So: Phoenix wins, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where Houston has been plus-5 a night and Phoenix minus-6 and the arc, Phoenix at 39 percent from three to Houston's 35. Call it Phoenix 115, Houston 114, Houston keeping it close.
2/25 vs OKC — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Houston comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 110 a night and allowing 117, shooting 43 percent and 34 from three, 28 free throws a game; Sengun at 18 and Thompson at 15 a game. One day's rest. OKC comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 128 a night and allowing 117, shooting 52 percent and 44 from three, 22 free throws a game; Gilgeous-Alexander at 31 and Jal. Williams at 21 a game. That is 4 straight wins. It has lost the glass by 4 a night. One day's rest.
So: OKC wins, on the road, and the game turns on the arc, OKC at 44 percent from three to Houston's 34 and the glass, where Houston has been plus-2 a night and OKC minus-4. Call it OKC 118, Houston 115, Houston keeping it close.
2/27 @ OKC — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
OKC comes in 5-0 over its last five, scoring 131 a night and allowing 110, shooting 54 percent and 47 from three, 21 free throws a game; Gilgeous-Alexander at 33 and Jal. Williams at 23 a game. That is 5 straight wins. One day's rest. Houston comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 109 a night and allowing 117, shooting 42 percent and 35 from three, 29 free throws a game; Sengun at 19 and VanVleet at 17 a game. Without Tate (2 straight). One day's rest.
So: OKC wins, and the game turns on the arc, OKC at 47 percent from three to Houston's 35 and the line, where Houston takes 29 free throws a game to OKC's 21. Call it OKC 122, Houston 110, OKC by 12.
2/29 @ PHX — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Phoenix comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 118 a night and allowing 115, shooting 46 percent and 37 from three, 32 free throws a game; Durant at 25 and Booker at 23 a game. Without Beal (4 straight). 3 days' rest. Houston comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 107 a night and allowing 119, shooting 41 percent and 33 from three, 26 free throws a game; Sengun at 20 and Smith Jr. at 15 a game. One day's rest.
So: Phoenix wins, and the game turns on the line, where Phoenix takes 32 free throws a game to Houston's 26 and the arc, Phoenix at 37 percent from three to Houston's 33. Call it Phoenix 118, Houston 111.
Who is who
the initials in the Players column
HOUAH A. Holiday
AS A. Sengun
AT A. Thompson
CW C. Whitmore
DB D. Brooks
FV F. VanVleet
JG J. Green
JL J. Landale
JS J. Smith Jr.
JT J. Tate
JG Ja. Green
JG Je. Green
NW N. Williams
RB R. Bullock Jr.
NOPCM C. McCollum
CZ C. Zeller
HJ H. Jones
JA J. Alvarado
JH J. Hawkins
JR J. Robinson-Earl
JV J. Valančiūnas
LN L. Nance Jr.
MR M. Ryan
NM N. Marshall
TM T. Murphy III
VA Valanciunas
ZW Z. Williamson
HOU/NOP the team itself, not a player
-- the feed named nobody
What
What happened
the codes in the Events column
M2 / M3 made 2 / made 3
X2 / X3 missed 2 / missed 3
FT / X1 free throw made / missed
AST assist
OR / DR offensive / defensive rebound
STL steal
BLK block
TO turnover
FL foul
OF offensive foul — ends the possession
VIOL violation
JUMP jump ball
TM timeout
IR instant replay
HE heave at the buzzer, filed to the team
END the clock ran out, ball in hand
Where
Where a shot came from
the middle field of M3.LW.25
RM at the rim inside 4 ft
RC right corner
RW right wing
SO straight on
LW left wing
LC left corner
M3.LW.25 made 3, left wing, 25 ft
X2.RM.01 missed 2, at the rim, 1 ft
When
When it happened
the Offset column
one number per event, in the Events order:
whole seconds from the start of the
possession to that event
Events FL X3.RC.23 OR M2.RM.01
Offset 0 18 22 24
the foul opens the possession at 0s;
the putback ends it at 24s, which is
the possession's own Dur
Q1Q2Q3Q48:10 PM8:38 PM9:20 PM9:58 PM10:28 PMNOPHOU+22JonesJones GAME 36:48 17 PTS 108-72 (+36) F2 3-4 3P 3-5 FT 2-3 REB 5 AST 4 STL 7 BLK 0 TO 1 PF 4Jones 9:54 2 PTS 26-22 (+4) F2 1-1 3P 0-1 FT 0-0 REB 2 AST 1 STL 4 BLK 0 TO 0 PF 09:5426-22+4Jones 9:59 6 PTS 29-15 (+14) F2 2-2 3P 0-0 FT 2-3 REB 2 AST 2 STL 0 BLK 0 TO 0 PF 29:5929-15+14Jones 8:46 6 PTS 33-21 (+12) F2 0-0 3P 2-2 FT 0-0 REB 0 AST 1 STL 0 BLK 0 TO 0 PF 18:4633-21+12Jones 4:13 0 PTS 12-8 (+4) F2 0-1 3P 0-1 FT 0-0 REB 0 AST 0 STL 0 BLK 0 TO 0 PF 112-8+4Jones 3:56 3 PTS 8-6 (+2) F2 0-0 3P 1-1 FT 0-0 REB 1 AST 0 STL 3 BLK 0 TO 1 PF 08-6+2s3xs2rsars11rf2raa2ff3a33xf2xstrs3sWilliamsonWilliamson GAME 34:57 27 PTS 94-77 (+17) F2 12-21 3P 0-0 FT 3-4 REB 3 AST 9 STL 2 BLK 1 TO 3 PF 1Williamson 6:18 4 PTS 18-17 (+1) F2 2-5 3P 0-0 FT 0-0 REB 2 AST 2 STL 0 BLK 0 TO 1 PF 0+1Williamson 6:25 5 PTS 17-18 (-1) F2 2-5 3P 0-0 FT 1-1 REB 0 AST 3 STL 1 BLK 1 TO 0 PF 0-1Williamson 10:51 13 PTS 34-20 (+14) F2 6-7 3P 0-0 FT 1-1 REB 0 AST 2 STL 0 BLK 0 TO 1 PF 010:5134-20+14Williamson 7:27 4 PTS 17-16 (+1) F2 2-2 3P 0-0 FT 0-0 REB 1 AST 1 STL 1 BLK 0 TO 1 PF 17:2717-16+1Williamson 3:56 1 PTS 8-6 (+2) F2 0-2 3P 0-0 FT 1-2 REB 0 AST 1 STL 0 BLK 0 TO 0 PF 08-6+2t222xr2xara2x2a2xa2x12a2xsb22x212a2t2a2fast2r22x12xaMurphy IIIMurphy III GAME 34:22 13 PTS 91-71 (+20) F2 2-2 3P 2-10 FT 3-6 REB 3 AST 1 STL 3 BLK 3 TO 1 PF 3Murphy III 8:29 0 PTS 20-22 (-2) F2 0-0 3P 0-3 FT 0-0 REB 1 AST 0 STL 1 BLK 1 TO 1 PF 08:2920-22-2Murphy III 16:39 6 PTS 51-30 (+21) F2 1-1 3P 1-4 FT 1-4 REB 0 AST 1 STL 1 BLK 2 TO 0 PF 216:3951-30+21Murphy III 5:18 5 PTS 12-13 (-1) F2 0-0 3P 1-3 FT 2-2 REB 1 AST 0 STL 0 BLK 0 TO 0 PF 012-13-1Murphy III 3:56 2 PTS 8-6 (+2) F2 1-1 3P 0-0 FT 0-0 REB 1 AST 0 STL 1 BLK 0 TO 0 PF 18-6+2brts3x3x3x23xsa3x3b1fb3xf311r3x3xr2sfMcCollumMcCollum GAME 31:18 28 PTS 87-62 (+25) F2 7-12 3P 4-10 FT 2-3 REB 6 AST 6 STL 0 BLK 0 TO 2 PF 1McCollum 9:54 11 PTS 26-22 (+4) F2 2-4 3P 2-2 FT 1-2 REB 1 AST 0 STL 0 BLK 0 TO 1 PF 09:5426-22+4McCollum 16:48 15 PTS 53-32 (+21) F2 4-6 3P 2-6 FT 1-1 REB 5 AST 5 STL 0 BLK 0 TO 0 PF 116:4853-32+21McCollum 4:36 2 PTS 8-8 (+0) F2 1-2 3P 0-2 FT 0-0 REB 0 AST 1 STL 0 BLK 0 TO 1 PF 0+0232xtr2x1323x3x3xra3rarfaa3x22r1222xra32x2x3xt3xa2ValančiūnasValančiūnas GAME 27:28 20 PTS 68-59 (+9) F2 7-10 3P 2-2 FT 0-0 REB 14 AST 3 STL 1 BLK 0 TO 1 PF 4Valančiūnas 8:29 9 PTS 20-22 (-2) F2 3-5 3P 1-1 FT 0-0 REB 7 AST 0 STL 0 BLK 0 TO 0 PF 020-22-2Valančiūnas 14:58 11 PTS 47-26 (+21) F2 4-5 3P 1-1 FT 0-0 REB 7 AST 3 STL 1 BLK 0 TO 1 PF 314:5847-26+21Valančiūnas 4:01 0 PTS 1-11 (-10) F2 0-0 3P 0-0 FT 0-0 REB 0 AST 0 STL 0 BLK 0 TO 0 PF 11-11-10rrr2x2r32rr22xrt222r2rs2xrfr3rarafraffAlvaradoAlvarado GAME 20:11 11 PTS 48-50 (-2) F2 2-3 3P 2-5 FT 1-2 REB 2 AST 7 STL 1 BLK 2 TO 3 PF 1Alvarado 9:14 5 PTS 25-23 (+2) F2 1-1 3P 1-1 FT 0-0 REB 0 AST 3 STL 0 BLK 2 TO 1 PF 09:1425-23+2Alvarado 8:51 2 PTS 17-22 (-5) F2 1-2 3P 0-3 FT 0-0 REB 2 AST 3 STL 1 BLK 0 TO 2 PF 117-22-5Alvarado 2:06 4 PTS 6-5 (+1) F2 0-0 3P 1-1 FT 1-2 REB 0 AST 1 STL 0 BLK 0 TO 0 PF 0+1tbb32aaa3xs2t3xrat3xraa2xf31aMarshallMarshall GAME 19:53 6 PTS 51-47 (+4) F2 0-1 3P 2-4 FT 0-0 REB 2 AST 3 STL 1 BLK 0 TO 0 PF 2Marshall 7:35 3 PTS 23-18 (+5) F2 0-0 3P 1-1 FT 0-0 REB 1 AST 2 STL 0 BLK 0 TO 0 PF 17:3523-18+5Marshall 0:30 0 PTS 0-0 (+0) F2 0-0 3P 0-0 FT 0-0 REB 0 AST 0 STL 0 BLK 0 TO 0 PF 0Marshall 11:48 3 PTS 28-29 (-1) F2 0-1 3P 1-3 FT 0-0 REB 1 AST 1 STL 1 BLK 0 TO 0 PF 111:4828-29-1aa3rfr3x3xa2xfs3HawkinsHawkins GAME 17:05 3 PTS 38-44 (-6) F2 0-1 3P 1-5 FT 0-0 REB 2 AST 0 STL 0 BLK 0 TO 0 PF 3Hawkins 7:13 0 PTS 16-18 (-2) F2 0-0 3P 0-2 FT 0-0 REB 1 AST 0 STL 0 BLK 0 TO 0 PF 17:1316-18-2Hawkins 6:01 3 PTS 16-14 (+2) F2 0-0 3P 1-1 FT 0-0 REB 1 AST 0 STL 0 BLK 0 TO 0 PF 26:0116-14+2Hawkins 1:45 0 PTS 0-7 (-7) F2 0-0 3P 0-1 FT 0-0 REB 0 AST 0 STL 0 BLK 0 TO 0 PF 0-7Hawkins 2:06 0 PTS 6-5 (+1) F2 0-1 3P 0-1 FT 0-0 REB 0 AST 0 STL 0 BLK 0 TO 0 PF 0+13xr3xff3fr3x3x2xNance Jr.Nance Jr. GAME 11:40 0 PTS 32-28 (+4) F2 0-0 3P 0-0 FT 0-0 REB 3 AST 1 STL 0 BLK 0 TO 2 PF 3Nance Jr. 5:02 0 PTS 14-13 (+1) F2 0-0 3P 0-0 FT 0-0 REB 1 AST 0 STL 0 BLK 0 TO 1 PF 15:0214-13+1Nance Jr. 4:58 0 PTS 11-13 (-2) F2 0-0 3P 0-0 FT 0-0 REB 2 AST 1 STL 0 BLK 0 TO 1 PF 211-13-2Nance Jr. 1:40 0 PTS 7-2 (+5) F2 0-0 3P 0-0 FT 0-0 REB 0 AST 0 STL 0 BLK 0 TO 0 PF 0+5ftrrfraftRobinson-EarlRobinson-Earl GAME 2:06 0 PTS 6-5 (+1) F2 0-0 3P 0-0 FT 0-0 REB 1 AST 0 STL 0 BLK 0 TO 0 PF 0Robinson-Earl 2:06 0 PTS 6-5 (+1) F2 0-0 3P 0-0 FT 0-0 REB 1 AST 0 STL 0 BLK 0 TO 0 PF 0+1rRyanRyan GAME 2:06 0 PTS 6-5 (+1) F2 0-0 3P 0-0 FT 0-0 REB 0 AST 0 STL 1 BLK 0 TO 0 PF 0Ryan 2:06 0 PTS 6-5 (+1) F2 0-0 3P 0-0 FT 0-0 REB 0 AST 0 STL 1 BLK 0 TO 0 PF 0+1sZellerZeller GAME 2:06 2 PTS 6-5 (+1) F2 1-1 3P 0-0 FT 0-0 REB 2 AST 1 STL 0 BLK 0 TO 0 PF 0Zeller 2:06 2 PTS 6-5 (+1) F2 1-1 3P 0-0 FT 0-0 REB 2 AST 1 STL 0 BLK 0 TO 0 PF 0+1rar2VanVleetVanVleet GAME 30:26 7 PTS 69-90 (-21) F2 0-2 3P 2-6 FT 1-2 REB 3 AST 6 STL 2 BLK 0 TO 4 PF 3VanVleet 6:18 3 PTS 17-18 (-1) F2 0-0 3P 1-2 FT 0-0 REB 0 AST 2 STL 0 BLK 0 TO 1 PF 06:1817-18-1VanVleet 7:16 3 PTS 18-22 (-4) F2 0-1 3P 1-3 FT 0-0 REB 2 AST 0 STL 0 BLK 0 TO 2 PF 218-22-4VanVleet 16:52 1 PTS 34-50 (-16) F2 0-1 3P 0-1 FT 1-2 REB 1 AST 4 STL 2 BLK 0 TO 1 PF 116:5234-50-16t3aa3xt33xrrfft2x3xatfsa2x1ara3xsThompsonThompson GAME 27:35 22 PTS 61-66 (-5) F2 8-10 3P 1-3 FT 3-5 REB 5 AST 4 STL 0 BLK 3 TO 3 PF 1Thompson 9:09 9 PTS 21-25 (-4) F2 4-4 3P 0-1 FT 1-1 REB 2 AST 1 STL 0 BLK 0 TO 0 PF 09:0921-25-4Thompson 2:49 2 PTS 5-8 (-3) F2 1-2 3P 0-0 FT 0-0 REB 1 AST 0 STL 0 BLK 1 TO 0 PF 0-3Thompson 15:37 11 PTS 35-33 (+2) F2 3-4 3P 1-2 FT 2-4 REB 2 AST 3 STL 0 BLK 2 TO 3 PF 115:3735-33+2r2r3x2a212b2x2rtbt1tf3x21a3bar22r2xaBrooksBrooks GAME 27:18 7 PTS 63-71 (-8) F2 0-1 3P 2-5 FT 1-2 REB 2 AST 2 STL 0 BLK 0 TO 0 PF 3Brooks 8:29 3 PTS 22-20 (+2) F2 0-0 3P 1-2 FT 0-0 REB 0 AST 1 STL 0 BLK 0 TO 0 PF 08:2922-20+2Brooks 4:44 0 PTS 13-12 (+1) F2 0-0 3P 0-0 FT 0-0 REB 1 AST 0 STL 0 BLK 0 TO 0 PF 14:4413-12+1Brooks 10:51 3 PTS 20-34 (-14) F2 0-1 3P 1-3 FT 0-0 REB 0 AST 1 STL 0 BLK 0 TO 0 PF 110:5120-34-14Brooks 3:14 1 PTS 8-5 (+3) F2 0-0 3P 0-0 FT 1-2 REB 1 AST 0 STL 0 BLK 0 TO 0 PF 18-5+33a3xfr3xa3xf2x31rfSengunSengun GAME 27:08 20 PTS 61-76 (-15) F2 5-8 3P 1-1 FT 7-10 REB 9 AST 2 STL 1 BLK 0 TO 3 PF 3Sengun 8:29 5 PTS 22-20 (+2) F2 1-3 3P 1-1 FT 0-0 REB 3 AST 2 STL 0 BLK 0 TO 1 PF 18:2922-20+2Sengun 6:39 4 PTS 10-18 (-8) F2 2-2 3P 0-0 FT 0-0 REB 2 AST 0 STL 0 BLK 0 TO 2 PF 26:3910-18-8Sengun 12:00 11 PTS 29-38 (-9) F2 2-3 3P 0-0 FT 7-10 REB 4 AST 0 STL 1 BLK 0 TO 0 PF 012:0029-38-9ar2xa3ftr22xrtr2frt2fr11r2x212r1111rsSmith Jr.Smith Jr. GAME 26:38 9 PTS 55-75 (-20) F2 1-3 3P 2-2 FT 1-2 REB 4 AST 1 STL 0 BLK 0 TO 2 PF 1Smith Jr. 8:29 6 PTS 22-20 (+2) F2 0-1 3P 2-2 FT 0-0 REB 1 AST 0 STL 0 BLK 0 TO 1 PF 08:2922-20+2Smith Jr. 18:09 3 PTS 33-55 (-22) F2 1-2 3P 0-0 FT 1-2 REB 3 AST 1 STL 0 BLK 0 TO 1 PF 118:0933-55-222xt33rr2xfrr1t2aWhitmoreWhitmore GAME 24:27 13 PTS 56-66 (-10) F2 3-3 3P 2-8 FT 1-3 REB 4 AST 0 STL 0 BLK 2 TO 2 PF 1Whitmore 6:08 0 PTS 16-21 (-5) F2 0-0 3P 0-1 FT 0-0 REB 1 AST 0 STL 0 BLK 2 TO 0 PF 06:0816-21-5Whitmore 2:24 1 PTS 5-8 (-3) F2 0-0 3P 0-1 FT 1-2 REB 1 AST 0 STL 0 BLK 0 TO 0 PF 0-3Whitmore 8:08 5 PTS 17-23 (-6) F2 1-1 3P 1-3 FT 0-0 REB 2 AST 0 STL 0 BLK 0 TO 0 PF 08:0817-23-6Whitmore 7:47 7 PTS 18-14 (+4) F2 2-2 3P 1-3 FT 0-1 REB 0 AST 0 STL 0 BLK 0 TO 2 PF 17:4718-14+43xrbb3xr1r3x323xr3xt2t2f3x3Ja. GreenJa. Green GAME 23:38 10 PTS 49-66 (-17) F2 1-6 3P 2-8 FT 2-2 REB 4 AST 2 STL 1 BLK 0 TO 1 PF 1Ja. Green 8:48 3 PTS 22-21 (+1) F2 0-1 3P 1-3 FT 0-0 REB 1 AST 2 STL 1 BLK 0 TO 1 PF 08:4822-21+1Ja. Green 14:50 7 PTS 27-45 (-18) F2 1-5 3P 1-5 FT 2-2 REB 3 AST 0 STL 0 BLK 0 TO 0 PF 114:5027-45-18sta2xr33xa3x2xr3x32xr3x2x3xr22x113xfLandaleLandale GAME 12:00 2 PTS 26-26 (+0) F2 1-1 3P 0-0 FT 0-0 REB 3 AST 3 STL 1 BLK 0 TO 0 PF 1Landale 12:00 2 PTS 26-26 (+0) F2 1-1 3P 0-0 FT 0-0 REB 3 AST 3 STL 1 BLK 0 TO 0 PF 112:0026-26+0afs2rraraTateTate GAME 12:00 4 PTS 26-26 (+0) F2 2-2 3P 0-1 FT 0-0 REB 5 AST 2 STL 1 BLK 0 TO 4 PF 2Tate 12:00 4 PTS 26-26 (+0) F2 2-2 3P 0-1 FT 0-0 REB 5 AST 2 STL 1 BLK 0 TO 4 PF 212:0026-26+0t2a2rafftstrtrrr3xBullock Jr.Bullock Jr. GAME 9:53 3 PTS 23-19 (+4) F2 0-0 3P 1-3 FT 0-0 REB 0 AST 0 STL 0 BLK 0 TO 0 PF 1Bullock Jr. 9:53 3 PTS 23-19 (+4) F2 0-0 3P 1-3 FT 0-0 REB 0 AST 0 STL 0 BLK 0 TO 0 PF 19:5323-19+433xf3xJe. GreenJe. 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ESPN UpdateESPN Update
Zion Williamson has 27 points, 9 assists as Pelicans pound Rockets 127-105
NEW ORLEANS -- — Zion Williamson had 27 points and nine assists, and the New Orleans Pelicans defeated the struggling Houston Rockets 127-105 on Thursday night for their eighth victory in nine games.
“We know what the stakes are,” said Williamson, who — if he remains healthy — is on track to compete in his first NBA playoff games this spring.
The latest victory improved the Pelicans to 34-22, good for fifth in the Western Conference.
Williamson, who has missed most of his first four seasons with injuries, has played in 45 games this season, leads New Orleans in points per game with 22.5, and looks rested after not being selected for last weekend's NBA All-Star festivities.
“At this point, I've got to win," Williamson said when asked about the opportunity to compete in some of the highest-stakes games of his career in coming weeks. "That's the only way to show people.”
Playing without high-scoring wing Brandon Ingram , who sat out with a non-COVID illness, the Pelicans got highly productive nights from their other four usual starters.
CJ McCollum scored 28 points, Jonas Valanciunas had 20 points and 14 rebounds, and Herb Jones had 17 points and a career-high seven steals for New Orleans, which led 63-50 at halftime and by as many as 29 points during the second half.
“Herb brings it every night — he really does — on both ends of the floor,” Pelicans coach Willie Green said of Jones, whose highlights included a driving dunk as he was fouled, three 3s and an alley-oop lob to Williamson. “When he has nights like tonight, where he's guarding everybody and getting steals, getting deflections, getting blocks, rebounding the ball, shooting the ball well, you can see how important he is to this group.”
Alperen Sengun had 20 points and nine rebounds for Houston, which has lost six of seven and played the last eight minutes with its starters on the bench.
"You have to take a little pride in guarding your matchup and knowing their tendencies and where they want to get to," Rockets coach Ime Udoka said. “Especially Williamson – that’s what he does, forces his way to the basket; I think the blow-bys and straight-line drives were a little too easy for him.
"Even when we doubled him at times, he still beat the double teams,” Udoka added. “Our starters weren’t as sharp as we needed to be.”
Rookie Amen Thompson , the fourth overall pick in last summer's NBA draft, scored a season-high 22 points. Jalen Green added 10 points for the Rockets.
Green inserted Trey Murphy III into the starting lineup for Ingram. He scored 13 points, but the career 39% 3-point shooter struggled with his accuracy, missing 8 of 10 from deep.
The final meeting of the regular season between the Southwest Division rivals was a chippy one. Officials called 39 total fouls — 21 on the Pelicans — and had to step in to break up a brief fourth quarter scrum that resulted in technical fouls for Valanciunas and Reggie Bullock Jr .
“That's part of the game and I think there was a little frustration (from Houston), based on the score,” Green said. “But for us, it's being the more mentally tough team in between the lines. No matter what happens, we're not backing down from anybody.”
The Pelicans tied their season series with the Rockets at 2-2, thanks in part to the 28th double-double this season by Valanciunas, who did most of his scoring inside, but also hit both 3s he attempted.
Williamson, who routinely handles the ball and initiates the offense like a guard, had his fifth game this season with at least nine assists.
“We’re seeing Zion get better and better as the season progresses,” Green said. “This is what happens when you put the ball in his hands, especially early.”