Game ID: 22400365
New Orleans Pelicans @ Houston Rockets
Thursday, December 19, 2024 at 8:00 PM ET
Toyota Center, Houston, TX
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Final
HOU 39 27 33 34 133NOP 25 27 27 34 113
HOU vs NOP ScoutingHOU vs 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.
HOU availability going into 12/05 · 1 day's restOUT Whitmore missed 6 since 11/22, out tonight
OUT Dante missed 22 since 10/23, out tonight
OUT Landale missed 3 since 11/27, out tonight
OUT Jef. Green missed 5 since 11/23, out tonight
BACK Adams back 11/27 after 2, 7 min since (47% of 15)
BACK Holiday back 11/27 after 2, 5 min since (43% of 13)
BACK Tate back 12/03 after 4, 2 min since (17% of 11)
NEW Smith Jr. 29 to 35 min over the last 5
HOU availability going into 12/08 · 2 days' restOUT Whitmore missed 7 since 11/22, out tonight
OUT Dante missed 23 since 10/23, out tonight
OUT Landale missed 4 since 11/27, out tonight
OUT Jef. Green missed 6 since 11/23, out tonight
BACK Adams back 11/27 after 2, 10 min since (65% of 15)
BACK Holiday back 11/27 after 2, 8 min since (65% of 13)
BACK Tate back 12/03 after 4, 2 min since (17% of 11)
NEW Smith Jr. 29 to 35 min over the last 5
HOU availability going into 12/11 · 2 days' restOUT Eason missed 2 since 12/05, returns tonight: 24 min (101% of 24)
OUT Whitmore missed 8 since 11/22, out tonight
OUT Dante missed 24 since 10/23, out tonight
OUT Landale missed 5 since 11/27, out tonight
OUT Jef. Green missed 7 since 11/23, out tonight
BACK Adams back 11/27 after 2, 10 min since (66% of 15)
BACK Holiday back 11/27 after 2, 11 min since (86% of 13)
BACK Tate back 12/03 after 4, 10 min since (89% of 11)
NEW Smith Jr. 29 to 34 min over the last 5
HOU availability going into 12/14 · 2 days' restOUT Whitmore missed 9 since 11/22, out tonight
OUT Dante missed 25 since 10/23, out tonight
OUT Landale missed 6 since 11/27, out tonight
OUT Jef. Green missed 8 since 11/23, out tonight
BACK Eason back 12/11 after 2, 24 min since (101% of 24)
BACK Tate back 12/03 after 4, 10 min since (89% of 11)
NEW Smith Jr. 29 to 37 min over the last 5
HOU availability going into 12/19 · 4 days' restOUT Whitmore missed 10 since 11/22, returns tonight: 3 min (22% of 15)
OUT Dante missed 26 since 10/23, out tonight
OUT Sheppard missed 2 since 12/11, returns tonight: 15 min (126% of 12)
OUT Landale missed 7 since 11/27, returns tonight: 2 min (17% of 12)
OUT Jef. Green missed 9 since 11/23, out tonight
OUT Tate missed 2 since 12/11, returns tonight: 2 min (18% of 11)
BACK Eason back 12/11 after 2, 21 min since (86% of 24)
NEW Smith Jr. 29 to 37 min over the last 5
HOU availability going into 12/22 · 2 days' restOUT Dante missed 27 since 10/23, out tonight
OUT Jef. Green missed 10 since 11/23, out tonight
BACK Eason back 12/11 after 2, 21 min since (86% of 24)
BACK Whitmore back 12/19 after 10, 3 min since (22% of 15)
BACK Sheppard back 12/19 after 2, 15 min since (126% of 12)
BACK Landale back 12/19 after 7, 2 min since (17% of 12)
BACK Tate back 12/19 after 2, 2 min since (18% of 11)
NEW Smith Jr. 29 to 36 min over the last 5
HOU availability going into 12/23 · back-to-backOUT Eason missed 2 since 12/19, out tonight
OUT Dante missed 28 since 10/23, out tonight
OUT Jef. Green missed 11 since 11/23, returns tonight: 7 min (57% of 12)
BACK Whitmore back 12/19 after 10, 9 min since (57% of 15)
BACK Sheppard back 12/19 after 2, 11 min since (88% of 12)
BACK Landale back 12/19 after 7, 3 min since (23% of 12)
BACK Tate back 12/19 after 2, 9 min since (76% of 11)
NEW Smith Jr. 29 to 36 min over the last 5
HOU availability going into 12/26 · 2 days' restOUT Eason missed 3 since 12/19, out tonight
OUT Dante missed 29 since 10/23, out tonight
BACK Whitmore back 12/19 after 10, 15 min since (97% of 15)
BACK Sheppard back 12/19 after 2, 13 min since (111% of 12)
BACK Landale back 12/19 after 7, 4 min since (30% of 12)
BACK Jef. Green back 12/23 after 11, 7 min since (57% of 12)
BACK Tate back 12/19 after 2, 11 min since (94% of 11)
NEW Smith Jr. 29 to 36 min over the last 5
HOU availability going into 12/27 · back-to-backOUT Brooks missed 2 since 12/23, out tonight
OUT Eason missed 4 since 12/19, out tonight
OUT Dante missed 30 since 10/23, out tonight
BACK Whitmore back 12/19 after 10, 18 min since (117% of 15)
BACK Sheppard back 12/19 after 2, 15 min since (121% of 12)
BACK Landale back 12/19 after 7, 5 min since (42% of 12)
BACK Jef. Green back 12/23 after 11, 8 min since (67% of 12)
BACK Tate back 12/19 after 2, 12 min since (109% of 11)
NEW Smith Jr. 29 to 34 min over the last 5
NOP availability going into 12/07 · 1 day's restOUT Williamson missed 14 since 11/08, out tonight
OUT Alvarado missed 12 since 11/13, out tonight
OUT Hawkins missed 4 since 11/29, out tonight
OUT Matković missed 2 since 12/02, out tonight
OUT Reeves missed 2 since 12/02, out tonight
OUT Cain missed 2 since 12/02, out tonight
OUT Jemison III missed 2 since 12/02, out tonight
BACK Ingram back 12/05 after 5, 37 min since (111% of 33)
BACK Murray back 11/27 after 17, 32 min since (99% of 33)
BACK Jones back 12/05 after 18, 32 min since (98% of 32)
NOP availability going into 12/08 · back-to-backOUT Williamson missed 15 since 11/08, out tonight
OUT Alvarado missed 13 since 11/13, out tonight
OUT Hawkins missed 5 since 11/29, out tonight
OUT Payton missed 2 since 12/05, out tonight
OUT Matković missed 3 since 12/02, out tonight
OUT Theis missed 2 since 12/05, out tonight
OUT Reeves missed 3 since 12/02, returns tonight: 4 min (29% of 15)
OUT Cain missed 3 since 12/02, returns tonight: 10 min (74% of 14)
OUT Jemison III missed 3 since 12/02, returns tonight: 4 min (34% of 10)
BACK Ingram back 12/05 after 5, 28 min since (84% of 33)
BACK Jones back 12/05 after 18, 34 min since (106% of 32)
NOP availability going into 12/12 · 3 days' restOUT Williamson missed 16 since 11/08, out tonight
OUT Alvarado missed 14 since 11/13, out tonight
OUT Hawkins missed 6 since 11/29, out tonight
OUT Payton missed 3 since 12/05, out tonight
OUT Matković missed 4 since 12/02, out tonight
OUT Theis missed 3 since 12/05, returns tonight: 14 min (88% of 16)
BACK Ingram back 12/05 after 5, 28 min since (84% of 33)
BACK Jones back 12/05 after 18, 35 min since (109% of 32)
BACK Reeves back 12/08 after 3, 4 min since (29% of 15)
BACK Cain back 12/01 after 4, 9 min since (67% of 14)
BACK Jemison III back 12/08 after 3, 4 min since (34% of 10)
NOP availability going into 12/15 · 2 days' restOUT Williamson missed 17 since 11/08, out tonight
OUT Alvarado missed 15 since 11/13, out tonight
OUT Hawkins missed 7 since 11/29, out tonight
OUT Green missed 2 since 12/08, returns tonight: 14 min (63% of 22)
OUT Payton missed 4 since 12/05, out tonight
OUT Matković missed 5 since 12/02, out tonight
BACK Ingram back 12/05 after 5, 28 min since (84% of 33)
BACK Jones back 12/05 after 18, 35 min since (109% of 32)
BACK Theis back 12/12 after 3, 14 min since (88% of 16)
BACK Reeves back 12/08 after 3, 4 min since (26% of 15)
BACK Cain back 12/08 after 3, 13 min since (94% of 14)
BACK Jemison III back 12/08 after 3, 3 min since (30% of 10)
NOP availability going into 12/19 · 3 days' restOUT Williamson missed 18 since 11/08, out tonight
OUT Alvarado missed 16 since 11/13, out tonight
OUT Hawkins missed 8 since 11/29, returns tonight: 17 min (73% of 24)
OUT Payton missed 5 since 12/05, out tonight
OUT Matković missed 6 since 12/02, out tonight
OUT Robinson-Earl missed 2 since 12/12, returns tonight: 2 min (11% of 19)
BACK Ingram back 12/05 after 5, 28 min since (84% of 33)
BACK Jones back 12/05 after 18, 36 min since (111% of 32)
BACK Green back 12/15 after 2, 14 min since (63% of 22)
BACK Theis back 12/12 after 3, 14 min since (86% of 16)
BACK Reeves back 12/08 after 3, 4 min since (26% of 15)
BACK Cain back 12/08 after 3, 11 min since (82% of 14)
BACK Jemison III back 12/08 after 3, 3 min since (30% of 10)
NOP availability going into 12/21 · 1 day's restOUT Williamson missed 19 since 11/08, out tonight
OUT Alvarado missed 17 since 11/13, out tonight
OUT Payton missed 6 since 12/05, out tonight
OUT Matković missed 7 since 12/02, out tonight
BACK Hawkins back 12/19 after 8, 17 min since (73% of 24)
BACK Green back 12/15 after 2, 15 min since (71% of 22)
BACK Robinson-Earl back 12/19 after 2, 2 min since (11% of 19)
BACK Theis back 12/12 after 3, 14 min since (86% of 16)
BACK Reeves back 12/08 after 3, 3 min since (22% of 15)
BACK Cain back 12/08 after 3, 11 min since (82% of 14)
BACK Jemison III back 12/08 after 3, 7 min since (67% of 10)
NOP availability going into 12/22 · back-to-backOUT Williamson missed 20 since 11/08, out tonight
OUT Alvarado missed 18 since 11/13, out tonight
OUT Payton missed 7 since 12/05, out tonight
OUT Matković missed 8 since 12/02, out tonight
OUT Theis missed 2 since 12/19, returns tonight: 13 min (80% of 16)
OUT Cain missed 2 since 12/19, out tonight
BACK Hawkins back 12/19 after 8, 19 min since (80% of 24)
BACK Green back 12/15 after 2, 16 min since (74% of 22)
BACK Robinson-Earl back 12/19 after 2, 10 min since (53% of 19)
BACK Reeves back 12/08 after 3, 3 min since (22% of 15)
BACK Jemison III back 12/08 after 3, 7 min since (67% of 10)
NEW Missi 27 to 32 min over the last 5
NOP availability going into 12/26 · 3 days' restOUT Williamson missed 21 since 11/08, out tonight
OUT Alvarado missed 19 since 11/13, out tonight
OUT Payton missed 8 since 12/05, out tonight
OUT Matković missed 9 since 12/02, out tonight
OUT Reeves missed 2 since 12/21, returns tonight: 9 min (59% of 15)
OUT Cain missed 3 since 12/19, out tonight
OUT Jemison III missed 2 since 12/21, out tonight
BACK Hawkins back 12/19 after 8, 24 min since (101% of 24)
BACK Green back 12/15 after 2, 16 min since (72% of 22)
BACK Robinson-Earl back 12/19 after 2, 10 min since (53% of 19)
BACK Theis back 12/12 after 3, 14 min since (84% of 16)
NEW Missi 27 to 33 min over the last 5
NOP availability going into 12/27 · back-to-backOUT Williamson missed 22 since 11/08, out tonight
OUT Alvarado missed 20 since 11/13, out tonight
OUT Payton missed 9 since 12/05, out tonight
OUT Matković missed 10 since 12/02, out tonight
OUT Cain missed 4 since 12/19, out tonight
OUT Jemison III missed 3 since 12/21, out tonight
BACK Hawkins back 12/19 after 8, 22 min since (94% of 24)
BACK Green back 12/15 after 2, 16 min since (75% of 22)
BACK Robinson-Earl back 12/19 after 2, 11 min since (58% of 19)
BACK Theis back 12/22 after 2, 16 min since (99% of 16)
BACK Reeves back 12/26 after 2, 9 min since (59% of 15)
NEW Missi 27 to 33 min over the last 5
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 102 a night and allowing 105, shooting 42 percent and 29 from three, 20 free throws a game; Green at 19 and Sengun at 18 a game. It has won the glass by 6 a night. Without Whitmore (10 straight). 4 days' rest. New Orleans comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 113 a night and allowing 119, shooting 45 percent and 34 from three, 23 free throws a game; McCollum at 21 and Murray at 20 a game. That is 4 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 5 a night. Without Williamson (18 straight), Alvarado (16 straight), Hawkins (8 straight). 3 days' rest.
So: Houston wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Houston has been plus-6 a night and New Orleans minus-5 and the defense, Houston allowing 105 a night to New Orleans's 119. Call it Houston 114, New Orleans 106.
12/05 @ GSW 93-99 — HOU notes
HOU lost 93-99. HOU shot 38% (35 of 93) to GSW's 42%, 10 of 38 from three, and got to the line 17 times to GSW's 27. Sengun led with 16 (7 of 15); Brooks added 15, Green 14. Q1 was theirs, 22-18, but the other 3 periods went 81-71 against them.
12/08 @ LAC 117-106 — HOU notes
HOU won 117-106. HOU shot 49% (40 of 82) to LAC's 45%, 15 of 41 from three, and went to the line 26 times to LAC's 16 — 22 points from the stripe to their 13. HOU turned it over 15 times to LAC's 7, and LAC turned those into 11 steals. The glass went 50-33 for them. Green led with 31 (9 of 20, 5 of 13 from three, 8 of 8 at the line); Thompson added 22, Brooks 19. The hinge was Q2, 34-24: a lead of 2 became 12, and the lead reached 16. Sengun was the night's best plus/minus at +13.
12/11 vs GSW 91-90 — HOU notes
HOU won 91-90. HOU shot 46% (38 of 83) to GSW's 44%, 6 of 27 from three. Sengun led with 26 (10 of 18, 6 of 7 at the line); Smith Jr. added 15, Ja. Green 12. The hinge was Q2, 24-19: a lead of 2 became 7.
12/14 @ OKC 96-111 — HOU notes
HOU lost 96-111. HOU took 16 more shots (96 to 80), fed by 19 offensive rebounds, but shot 36% to OKC's 45%, 11 of 46 from three, and got to the line 25 times to OKC's 32. Thompson led with 19 (9 of 15); Smith Jr. added 14, Brooks 14. Q1 was theirs, 20-18, but the other 3 periods went 93-76 against them. Green's -16 in 34 minutes was the worst on the floor.
12/19 vs NOP 133-113 — HOU notes
HOU won 133-113. HOU shot 57% (50 of 87) to NOP's 45%, 17 of 39 from three, and got to the line 19 times to NOP's 25. Ja. Green led with 34 (13 of 22, 4 of 10 from three); Brooks added 26, Sengun 23. The hinge was Q1, 39-25: from level to 14 ahead, and the lead reached 26. VanVleet was the night's best plus/minus at +25.
12/22 @ TOR — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Toronto comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 109 a night and allowing 115, shooting 45 percent and 36 from three, 18 free throws a game; Barrett at 23 and Dick at 20 a game. That is 5 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 6 a night. Without Quickley (17 straight), Lawson (2 straight). 2 days' rest. Houston comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 106 a night and allowing 104, shooting 45 percent and 31 from three, 19 free throws a game; Green at 21 and Sengun at 18 a game. 2 days' rest.
So: Houston wins, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where Houston has been plus-3 a night and Toronto minus-6 and the defense, Houston allowing 104 a night to Toronto's 115. Call it Houston 111, Toronto 109, Toronto keeping it close.
12/23 @ CHA — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Charlotte comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 106 a night and allowing 114, shooting 44 percent and 28 from three, 23 free throws a game; Miller at 20 and Bridges at 17 a game. That is 4 straight losses. Without Miller (2 straight), Gra. Williams (12 straight), Mann (13 straight). 2 days' rest. Houston comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 110 a night and allowing 106, shooting 46 percent and 31 from three, 23 free throws a game; Green at 22 and Brooks at 19 a game. It has won the glass by 7 a night. Without Eason (2 straight). Second night of a back-to-back.
So: Houston wins, on the road, and the game turns on the defense, Houston allowing 106 a night to Charlotte's 114. Call it Houston 111, Charlotte 108, Charlotte keeping it close.
12/26 @ NOP — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
New Orleans comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 110 a night and allowing 120, shooting 44 percent and 35 from three, 22 free throws a game; Murphy III at 22 and McCollum at 21 a game. That is 5 straight losses. Without Williamson (21 straight), Alvarado (19 straight), Payton (8 straight). 3 days' rest. Houston comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 110 a night and allowing 105, shooting 45 percent and 30 from three, 21 free throws a game; Brooks at 19 and Sengun at 19 a game. That is 3 straight wins. It has won the glass by 7 a night. Without Eason (3 straight). 2 days' rest.
So: Houston wins, on the road, and the game turns on the defense, Houston allowing 105 a night to New Orleans's 120 and the glass, where Houston has been plus-7 a night and New Orleans minus-3. Call it Houston 114, New Orleans 108.
12/27 vs MIN — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Houston comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 117 a night and allowing 109, shooting 46 percent and 33 from three, 24 free throws a game; Brooks at 22 and Green at 21 a game. That is 4 straight wins. It has won the glass by 10 a night. Without Brooks (2 straight), Eason (4 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. Minnesota comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 105 a night and allowing 111, shooting 43 percent and 37 from three, 16 free throws a game; Edwards at 21 and Randle at 19 a game. One day's rest.
So: Houston wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Houston has been plus-10 a night and Minnesota minus-2 and the line, where Houston takes 24 free throws a game to Minnesota's 16. Call it Houston 113, Minnesota 106.
12/07 vs OKC 109-119 — NOP notes
NOP lost 109-119. NOP shot 48% (38 of 79) to OKC's 53%, 11 of 37 from three, and went to the line 27 times to OKC's 21 — 22 points from the stripe to their 17. The glass went 35-45 against them. Murray led with 26 (8 of 15, 3 of 8 from three, 7 of 10 at the line); Jones added 24, Murphy III 16. Q4 was theirs, 29-20, the deficit cut from 19 to 10, but the other 3 periods went 99-80 against them. Ingram's -21 in 19 minutes was the worst on the floor.
12/08 @ SAS 116-121 — NOP notes
NOP lost 116-121. NOP shot 43% (43 of 99) to SAS's 45%, 13 of 38 from three, and got to the line 21 times to SAS's 31. NOP turned it over 8 times to SAS's 13. The glass went 43-55 against them. Murphy III led with 25 (8 of 16, 4 of 10 from three); McCollum added 19, Murray 18. Q1 was theirs, 34-28, but the other 3 periods went 93-82 against them. McCollum's -16 in 34 minutes was the worst on the floor.
12/12 vs SAC 109-111 — NOP notes
NOP lost 109-111. NOP shot 47% (39 of 83) to SAC's 40%, 14 of 37 from three, and got to the line 20 times to SAC's 29. NOP turned it over 17 times to SAC's 11, and SAC turned those into 12 steals. McCollum led with 36 (14 of 24, 6 of 11 from three); Murphy III added 21, D. Murray 20. Q4 was theirs, 26-20, the deficit cut from 8 to 2, but the other 3 periods went 91-83 against them. D. Murray's -6 in 35 minutes was the worst on the floor.
12/15 @ IND 104-119 — NOP notes
NOP lost 104-119. NOP took 16 more shots (97 to 81), fed by 19 offensive rebounds, but shot 39% to IND's 51%, 10 of 33 from three. Boston led with 20 (7 of 15, 3 of 4 from three); Jones added 19, Murray 19. Q4 was theirs, 24-20, the deficit cut from 19 to 15, but the other 3 periods went 99-80 against them. Murray's -14 in 35 minutes was the worst on the floor.
12/19 @ HOU 113-133 — NOP notes
NOP lost 113-133. NOP shot 45% (41 of 92) to HOU's 57%, 13 of 28 from three, and went to the line 25 times to HOU's 19 — 18 points from the stripe to their 16. Murphy III led with 28 (10 of 17, 4 of 6 from three); Jones added 20, McCollum 18. Q2 was theirs, 27-27, but the other 3 periods went 106-86 against them. Murray's -25 in 31 minutes was the worst on the floor.
12/21 vs NYK — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
New Orleans comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 110 a night and allowing 121, shooting 44 percent and 35 from three, 23 free throws a game; Murphy III at 21 and McCollum at 20 a game. That is 5 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 6 a night. Without Williamson (19 straight), Alvarado (17 straight), Payton (6 straight). One day's rest. New York comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 111 a night and allowing 107, shooting 49 percent and 37 from three, 21 free throws a game; Towns at 24 and Brunson at 22 a game. One day's rest.
So: New York wins, on the road, and the game turns on the defense, New York allowing 107 a night to New Orleans's 121 and the glass, where New York has been minus-1 a night and New Orleans minus-6. Call it New York 116, New Orleans 109.
12/22 vs DEN — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
New Orleans comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 107 a night and allowing 118, shooting 43 percent and 36 from three, 22 free throws a game; Murphy III at 23 and McCollum at 20 a game. That is 5 straight losses. Without Williamson (20 straight), Alvarado (18 straight), Payton (7 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. Denver comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 126 a night and allowing 117, shooting 54 percent and 36 from three, 26 free throws a game; Jokić at 35 and Murray at 24 a game. It has won the glass by 5 a night. 2 days' rest.
So: Denver wins, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where Denver has been plus-5 a night and New Orleans minus-3. Call it Denver 119, New Orleans 112.
12/26 vs HOU — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
New Orleans comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 110 a night and allowing 120, shooting 44 percent and 35 from three, 22 free throws a game; Murphy III at 22 and McCollum at 21 a game. That is 5 straight losses. Without Williamson (21 straight), Alvarado (19 straight), Payton (8 straight). 3 days' rest. Houston comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 110 a night and allowing 105, shooting 45 percent and 30 from three, 21 free throws a game; Brooks at 19 and Sengun at 19 a game. That is 3 straight wins. It has won the glass by 7 a night. Without Eason (3 straight). 2 days' rest.
So: Houston wins, on the road, and the game turns on the defense, Houston allowing 105 a night to New Orleans's 120 and the glass, where Houston has been plus-7 a night and New Orleans minus-3. Call it Houston 114, New Orleans 108.
12/27 vs MEM — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
New Orleans comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 110 a night and allowing 123, shooting 43 percent and 34 from three, 22 free throws a game; Murphy III at 22 and McCollum at 17 a game. That is 5 straight losses. Without Williamson (22 straight), Alvarado (20 straight), Payton (9 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. Memphis comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 129 a night and allowing 112, shooting 47 percent and 43 from three, 23 free throws a game; Jackson Jr. at 20 and Bane at 17 a game. It has won the glass by 11 a night. Without Smart (2 straight), Williams Jr. (16 straight). Second night of a back-to-back.
So: Memphis wins, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where Memphis has been plus-11 a night and New Orleans minus-3 and the arc, Memphis at 43 percent from three to New Orleans's 34. Call it Memphis 122, New Orleans 112, Memphis by 10.
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
RS R. Sheppard
SA S. Adams
NOPAR A. Reeves
BB B. Boston
CM C. McCollum
DM D. Murray
HJ H. Jones
JH J. Hawkins
TJ T. Jemison III
TM T. Murphy III
YM Y. Missi
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
Jalen Green and Rockets beat New Orleans 133-113 and send Pelicans to their 5th straight loss
HOUSTON -- — Jalen Green scored 34 points to lead the Houston Rockets to a 133-113 win over the New Orleans Pelicans on Thursday night.
Green had a season-high 22 points in the third quarter and shot 13 of 22 in the game, including 4 for 10 from beyond the arc. Green entered shooting 31.3% from long distance this season.
Dillon Brooks scored 26 points, and Alperen Sengun added 23 points and nine rebounds as the Rockets improved to 11-3 at home.
Trey Murphy III scored 28 points, and Herb Jones had 20 for the Pelicans, who have lost five straight and fell to 1-14 on the road.
Takeaways Pelicans: New Orleans entered Thursday allowing the second-most fast-break points in the NBA at 19.6 points per game, and the Rockets exploited that weakness, outscoring New Orleans 26-11 in transition points. The Pelicans were missing C Daniel Theis (personal reasons), while Zion Williamson and José Alvarado remained sidelined with hamstring strains.
Rockets: When the Rockets are hitting their 3-pointers, they can be a tough team to handle. Houston now embarks on a three-game trip to Toronto, Charlotte and New Orleans, facing teams with a combined record of 19-44.
Key moment After both teams scored 27 in the second quarter, the Rockets opened the second half on a 15-3 run, jumping to a 25-point lead that New Orleans never overcame.
Key stat Houston shot 7 for 10 from 3-point range in the first quarter, tying for its most 3s made in any quarter this season. The Rockets finished the game 17 of 39 from distance, for 43.6%.
Up next The Pelicans return to New Orleans for a five-game homestand that starts with the Knicks on Saturday night, while Houston visits Toronto on Sunday.