Rockets top Pelicans despite poor shooting
HOUSTON (AP) -- James Harden had 39 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists to help the Houston Rockets overcome miserable shooting in a 100-95 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday night.
The Rockets went 3 of 34 on 3-point attempts and committed 21 turnovers but were able to rally past New Orleans thanks to an off night from Pelicans star Anthony Davis.
With their horrendous shooting performance, Houston became the first team in NBA history to make fewer than four 3s on 30 or more attempts.
But on the 34th attempt, Houston point guard Patrick Beverley delivered the most important shot of the game, a 3-pointer from the corner that gave the Rockets a lead with less than a minute remaining.
With the Rockets trailing by six with under 5 minutes left, Harden airballed a 3 that bounced out of bounds for a turnover. On the next trip down the court, Trevor Ariza attempted a 3-pointer in transition that barely caught the front of the rim.
After narrowing the gap, Harden helped Houston regain the lead with 1:29 remaining by barreling into the lane for a layup rather than another try from beyond the arc. Harden went 1 for 8 from 3-point range in the game.
Two free throws by Ryan Anderson helped New Orleans regain the lead before Beverley's pivotal shot sent the crowd into a long-awaited frenzy.
Returning from a one-game absence after a right big toe sprain kept him out of the Pelicans' loss in Minnesota on Saturday, Davis had his own night of frustration. Less than two weeks removed from his 59-point performance in Detroit, Davis was held to 12 on 5-of-13 shooting.
Norris Cole led New Orleans with 21 points and eight assists.
Both teams struggled mightily with ball control, committing a combined 43 turnovers. Both clubs came within three turnovers of their respective season highs, as Houston finished with 21 and New Orleans had 20.
With frustration mounting, both teams became increasingly physical in the closing minutes. The Pelicans entered the night five games behind Houston for the eighth and final playoff spot in the West.
The Pelicans have lost nine of their last 10 in Houston.
The Rockets struggled for much of the first half but finally took their first lead with less than 2 minutes remaining in the second quarter when Ariza found Dwight Howard for an alley-oop dunk. Howard also drew a foul and made the free throw, and Houston led 53-52 at halftime.
TIP-INS
Pelicans: Dante Cunningham had 16 points, while Eric Gordon and Anderson each added 14. Anderson got a technical foul early in the fourth quarter for venting at the officials. . Alexis Ajinca started at center as Omer Asik missed his fourth straight game with a right ankle sprain.
Rockets: Houston coach J.B. Bickerstaff was unable to comment on the team's reported signing of Michael Beasley because the move had not yet been made official. The 2008 second overall draft pick was recently selected MVP of the Chinese Basketball Association. . Houston also signed SG Andrew Goudelock out of the CBA.
UP NEXT
Pelicans: Visit San Antonio on Thursday.
Rockets: Visit Chicago on Saturday.
