After going winless in preseason, the Pelicans open the season with a blazing 131-112 victory over Southwest Division opponent, the Houston Rockets, a team that finished last season one win shy of defeating the Golden State Warriors for a trip to the NBA Finals. The Pelicans appeared to have picked up every bit of where they left off from last season when they swept the Portland Trailblazers out of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.
The Pels started the game off fast and furious and never trailed for the duration of the contest.
It should be noted that the Houston Rockets look worse defensively since wingman Trevor Ariza departed for Phoenix.