Pelicans (27-21), Rockets (34-13)
Seven wins in the last eight games. Statement victories at Boston’s TD Garden and at home against Southwest Division-leading Houston. New Orleans continued its best stretch of 2017-18 on Friday, posting a hard-fought victory over the Rockets on national TV, giving the Pelicans a season-high four-game winning streak. Once on the fringe of the top eight of the standings in the Western Conference, New Orleans now is in striking distance of a much higher position in the race.
The Pelicans built a lead of over 20 points Friday against Houston, then held on in the late stages, handing the Rockets their first loss of the season when all three of James Harden, Chris Paul and Clint Capela are in uniform.