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Houston Rockets Dominate New Orleans Pelicans in Pre-Season Victory

In a pre-season matchup that saw the Houston Rockets take on the New Orleans Pelicans at the Toyota Center, the home team showcased their prowess with a commanding 118-98 victory. The win improved the Rockets' pre-season record, while the Pelicans faced another setback. The game was marked by Houston's balanced attack and defensive solidity, leading them for over 45 minutes and achieving their biggest lead of 20 points.


HOUSTON, TX - OCTOBER 15: Steven Adams #12 of the Houston Rockets dribbles the ball during the game against the New Orleans Pelicans during a NBA preseason game on October 15, 2024 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Logan Riely/NBAE via Getty Images)

Key Performances and Game Highlights


The Rockets' victory was fueled by impressive performances across the board. Jalen Green led the scoring for Houston with 19 points, complemented by six rebounds and showcasing his efficiency from both inside and beyond the arc. Dillon Brooks added 13 points on an exceptional shooting night, hitting 71 percent of his shots including a remarkable three-point shooting accuracy of 75 percent.


Houston's bench depth played a significant role in their win, contributing a total of 61 bench points to their tally. This display of teamwork was further evidenced by their distribution of assists; Fred VanVleet facilitated the offense with nine assists while also adding five points to his name.


HOUSTON, TX - OCTOBER 15: Jabari Smith Jr. #10 of the Houston Rockets plays defense during the game against the New Orleans Pelicans during a NBA preseason game on October 15, 2024 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Logan Riely/NBAE via Getty Images)

On defense, Amen Thompson stood out with two blocks and one steal, contributing to Houston's five total blocks and eight steals as they stifled New Orleans' attempts to build momentum. The team's defensive efforts limited the Pelicans to shooting just 38 percent from the field.


New Orleans Pelicans Efforts


Despite falling short, New Orleans had moments worth noting. Their effort in paint saw them score 36 points but struggled from beyond the arc with only a 24 percent success rate on three-point attempts. They were led in scoring by contributions across their lineup but were unable to match Houston’s intensity throughout each quarter.


HOUSTON, TX - OCTOBER 15: Jalen Green #4 of the Houston Rockets plays defense during the game against the New Orleans Pelicans during a NBA preseason game on October 15, 2024 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Logan Riely/NBAE via Getty Images)

The Pelicans did show resilience on defense with five blocks equaling that of Houston’s count but ultimately could not contain Rockets’ dynamic offense which scored efficiently both from close range (62 percent in paint) and through second-chance opportunities where they capitalized with an impressive rate of 56 percent.


Looking Ahead


Fans can look forward to more action as the Houston Rockets are set to host San Antonio Spurs at Toyota Center on October 17th at 8:00 PM EDT. This upcoming game promises excitement for fans who can catch live broadcasts on SCHN or CW35 networks ensuring they don’t miss any part of what is anticipated to be another showcase event for both teams as they prepare for regular season play.

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