Rockets (59-14), Pelicans (43-31)
HOUSTON – New Orleans was playing its sixth game in the last eight days, facing NBA-leading Houston for a second straight Saturday. The Pelicans looked like it.
Houston jumped on New Orleans from the get-go, building a quick double-figure lead that expanded to 27 by halftime, with the visitors tallying a season-low 37 first-half points. Although the Pelicans made a minor push in the third quarter, the Rockets quickly regained command, leading New Orleans to sit Anthony Davis and Jrue Holiday in the fourth quarter.
The Pelicans, who saw their four-game winning streak come to an end, were playing without Rajon Rondo (wrist) and Nikola Mirotic (hip), which meant starting assignments for Darius Miller and DeAndre Liggins.