Rockets Blast Past Pelicans To Give New Orleans Second Straight Loss

New Orleans remains winless in the preseason after getting blown out by Rockets.

Birmingham, AL - Coach Willie Green looked for his New Orleans Pelicans team to show a better effort in this second preseason game than what the team showed in its opening one on Tuesday. He'll have to wait another game as the Houston Rockets cruised past the Pelicans 120-87 at the Legacy Arena in Birmingham, Alabama. 

The first quarter for the Pelicans was one Coach Willie Green didn't want for his team. New Orleans turned the ball over 11 times in the quarter, leading to 12 points off turnovers for the Rockets. The Pels had more turnovers (11) than made field goals (10), and star forward Zion Williamson couldn't get a rhythm on offense. Williamson scored just one basket but committed two fouls in the quarter. 

Houston's Jabari Smith, Jr. led all scorers with 13 points on 5/6 shooting. CJ McCollum scored six points for the Pelicans as they trailed the Rockets 33-26. The second quarter was more of the same for New Orleans.

The Pelicans scored just 14 points in the frame, marking three of the last four quarters the team scored less than 20 points in a quarter. New Orleans started the quarter with another turnover as the Rockets' defensive intensity ratcheted up. Houston had 12 steals in the first half and scored 21 points off the Pelicans 20 first-half turnovers. Those turnovers led to easy fast break points for the Rockets, who outscored New Orleans 28-16 in the paint. 

Oct 12, 2023; Birmingham, Alabama, USA; Houston Rockets guard Jalen Green (4) works past New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) for a shot during an NBA exhibition game at Legacy Arena at BJCC. Mandatory Credit: Vasha Hunt-USA TODAY Sports

Houston took a 56-40 lead into the half after the Pels shot just 28% in the quarter. Coach Willie Green said pregame he expected the starters to play some into the third quarter. That happened as the starters played about five minutes in the fourth before resting the rest of the game. They were unable to make a dent in the lead, and the bench players fared no better the remainder of the game.

The Rockets outscored the Pelicans in every quarter and dominated the paint area. Houston outrebounded New Orleans 48-36 while doubling them up in paint scoring 52-26. One bright spot for the Pelicans was the play of Dyson Daniels. In 22 minutes of play, the second-year guard scored 13 points, grabbed five rebounds, and dished two assists. 

With injuries to Trey Murphy III, Larry Nance Jr, and Jose Alvarado, young players like Daniels and Jordan Hawkins can get meaningful playing time in the preseason. The team's next game is on the road in Atlanta when they take on the Hawks on Saturday afternoon.