Pelicans Blow Huge Lead, Fall To Rockets
Jabari Smith's game-winner with .04 remaining may be the beginning of a long kiss goodbye to the New Orleans Pelicans' playoff hopes.
The Pelicans held a 15-point advantage with 9:38 to go in the fourth quarter, but the Rockets began to slowly chip away by mixing furious drives to the rim with timely shooting from deep.
With the clock under the three minute mark, New Orleans was still ahead by six after Trey Murphy III knocked down a long three-pointer to make the score 110-104. The lead was five with 85 seconds left following Brandon Ingram's driving layup.
But Houston kept coming.
Credit: Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports
They scored on each of their next two possessions, first a layup by Kenyon Martin Jr. off an assist from Kevin Porter Jr., followed by Jalen Green's long two-point jumper from the corner to make it 112-111 Pelicans with :35 remaining.
Ingram, who scored a game-high 31 points, would have two opportunities to put the game away, but misfired on consecutive mid-range jumpers. The second fell into Green's hands, setting up Smith's final heroics.
When the smoke cleared, Houston had outscored the Pelicans 34-22 in the fourth quarter to collect their 18th win, including their first over New Orleans this season.
The loss ended the Pelicans' five-game winning streak against Houston. New Orleans has now dropped three straight on the road and falls to 11-24 away from home. They will have to win their remaining six to match last season's total of 17 road victories.
Jonas Valanciunas put up his best overall numbers in months, finishing with 22 points and 17 rebounds. Valanciunas has 35 double-doubles this season, including three games with at least 20 points and 15 boards.
He had nine such games during the 2021-22 season.
CJ McCollum (14), Trey Murphy III (13), and Naji Marshall (13) were also in double figures for the Pelicans. Herb Jones had nine points and four steals.
Green paced the Rockets in scoring with 25 points, adding seven rebounds, and six assists. Kevin Porter Jr. scored 20, and Alperen Sengun registered a double-double with 17 points and 11 boards.
The Pelicans get one day off before the conclusion of this road and season series in Houston.
With 12 games left to play in the season, New Orleans sits 12th in the Western Conference standings.
The Pels will have to go 8-4 in order to avoid ending their fifth season in a row with a losing record.
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