Rockets steal win after Pelicans’ late collapse
Kevin Durant scored a team-high 32 points, Amen Thompson flirted with a triple-double and the Houston Rockets survived a late rally from the visiting New Orleans Pelicans to claim a 107-105 win on Friday.
Behind Dejounte Murray, who tallied a season-high 35 points, and Zion Williamson (21 points), the Pelicans turned a 12-1 run into a 104-100 lead with 31.8 seconds remaining. But Jabari Smith Jr. drilled a corner 3-pointer for the Rockets, and the Pelicans followed with two critical turnovers that opened the door for Houston to steal the win.
Murray stepped out of bounds with 13 seconds left, and Durant followed by nailing a pull-up jumper that gave Houston a 105-104 lead. Williamson then made an errant inbounds pass that eluded Herb Jones and rolled out of bounds. Durant followed with a pair of free throws.
Murray shot 14 of 18 from the field in his eighth game back from an Achilles injury. Trey Murphy III added 14 points, six rebounds and seven assists for the Pelicans, who turned 12 Houston turnovers into 17 points. The Pelicans trailed by as many as 11 points in the game before rallying in the fourth.
Thompson posted 23 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists for the Rockets, who played without All-Star center Alperen Sengun (back). Smith chipped in 16 points while Reed Sheppard added 18 points and five 3-pointers off the bench. Reserve center Clint Capela totaled nine points, five rebounds and four blocks.
Murray was hot from the start, tallying 10 first-quarter points on 4-for-4 shooting. But Thompson (nine points, four rebounds) matched that production, and when Smith followed a replay reversal that gave the Rockets possession with a dunk, Houston led 28-24 entering the second.
Sheppard answered a Pelicans run early in the second with consecutive 3s that pushed Houston to a 39-32 lead, only for Murray to ignite the Pelicans once again. Smith then completed a three-point play with 2:03 left in the first half, and the Rockets extended their lead to 53-43.
Murray beat the buzzer with a 3-pointer that pulled the Pelicans to within 57-49 at the break.