Houston Rockets 'Made Plays Down the Stretch' Says New Orleans Pelicans' Willie Green

With a win over the Pelicans, the Houston Rockets continue to change their reputation under coach Ime Udoka and veterans.

HOUSTON — The Houston Rockets extended their winning streak to five during a come-from-behind 104-100 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans Friday night. The win gave the Rockets their first In-Season Tournament victory while gaining their opponents' respect.

Coach Willie Green watched the Rockets' resiliency from the sideline of the Toyota Center, where the Pelicans blew a nine-point fourth-quarter lead en route to their fourth straight loss.

"They made plays down the stretch of the game during the last few minutes," Green said. "We had a couple turnovers, just a couple of missed cues. Guys battled their tails off against a team that's been going lately."

Rockets guard Jalen Green (4) drives with the ball as New Orleans Pelicans forward Jeremiah Robinson-Earl (50) defends during the fourth quarter at Toyota Center / Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

If not for a game-winning triple by Jabari Smith Jr. on March 17, the Pelicans would have swept the Rockets during their four-game regular-season series. They defeated the Rockets 3-1 during the 2022-23 season. But Green understood that going up against Houston under coach Ime Udoka would provide a different challenge.

While game planning ahead of their first In-Season Tournament meeting, Green noticed Udoka's impact seven games into the season. He also received an understanding into the impact Dillon Brooks, Jeff Green and Fred VanVleet have made on the Rockets' young roster.

#Rockets coach Ime Udoka on veteran play down the stretch. pic.twitter.com/CbSqUdcLWq

— Coty M. Davis (@CotyDavis_24) November 11, 2023

"Those guys come from winning programs," Green said. "Ime, he's done a great job of changing the foundation here of how they play and go about their business. They're a good team. They are going to be a good team in the west."

Jalen Green led the Rockets in scoring with 25 points (7-of-15 FG, 4-of-9 3PT). But despite another 20-plus performance from Green, the Rockets' veterans came up big down the stretch.

VanVleet, who finished the game with 20 points and 12 assists, drilled a triple to give the Rockets a 101-100 lead over the Pelicans with 47.3 seconds left in the fourth quarter. Brooks and Green ignited the Rockets' fourth-quarter comeback with their defense and hustle plays.