Pelicans Flap Past Rockets 117-107

Are you not The Rockets defeated the New Orleans Pelicans on a last second shot by Jabari Smith Jr. on Friday. Two days later, they played the Pelicans again, they got down again, they attempted a comeback again. This time, the comeback fell short, as the 33-37 Pelicans fought for their play-in lives.

The Pelicans came out of the gate with more energy than the Rockets, including the Rockets second unit, which usually provides a boost, and established a 20 point lead at the half by making basically every shot, playing physical, and generally adjusting to how the Rockets played them last time. This time the Pelicans shot into the space left by the Rockets drop coverage, passed cross court…