Jalen Green and the Houston Rockets (17-51) took on Jonas Valanciunas and the New Orleans Pelicans (28-40) in part of the NBA Sunday slate. It was an easy win for the Pelicans vs the Rockets with 130-105 being the final score.
While this game ended up being a blowout, the Rockets actually held a 32-29 lead at the end of the first quarter. Over the next two periods, the Pelicans outscored them 69-40 to ultimately take complete control.
Jonas Valanciunas took full advantage of the Pelicans’ matchup vs the Rockets with 32 points and 10 rebounds to lead the way. Jaxson Hayes chipped in an impressive 21 points and six rebounds, too.
The Rockets were actually efficient when they got a shot attempt up, but they were putrid taking care of the basketball with 24 turnovers overall compared to 10 from the Pelicans. The result? A 21-point advantage for New Orleans in points off turnovers.
LATEST NBA NEWS: ‘Free Kyrie!’: Nets Fans, Players React To Irving Sitting Courtside
There were strong results being achieved by the New Orleans Pelicans after the CJ McCollum trade with him and Brandon Ingram forming a solid one-two punch as Zion Williamson remains sidelined. McCollum is now in the health & safety protocols and Ingram is injured.
The Pelicans were crushed 142-120 by the Charlotte Hornets in their last outing. Jonas Valanciunas was the top option and it didn’t go well in that one—resulting in the team having lost four consecutive games.
As for the Houston Rockets, they’ve recently played without having their starting frontcourt with Jae’Sean Tate and Christian Wood sidelined. Both players returned to the lineup in this game.
LATEST NBA NEWS: ‘Free Kyrie!’: Nets Fans, Players React To Irving Sitting Courtside
Houston lost 113-100 to the Dallas Mavericks in their previous outing with Luka Doncic putting up 30 points, 14 rebounds, and six assists. They are playing for a top pick in the 2022 NBA Draft as they hold the top odds for the No. 1 overall pick.
Related Stories on Latest NBA Injury News, Trade Rumors & Analysis
WHY WESTBROOK NEEDS BUYOUT: The expectations were significant for the Los Angeles Lakers after the addition of Russell Westbrook was finalized using a trade with the Washington Wizards. With LeBron James and Anthony Davis at the helm, the bar was set at winning an NBA title or bust. READ MORE
KYRIE EARLY LANDING SPOTS: The 2021-22 NBA season has been a strange one for Kyrie Irving and the Brooklyn Nets, to say the least. It still remains as such given he is still ineligible to play in home games and would not even be able to play in a road matchup with the Toronto Raptors in the play-in tournament. READ MORE
