NEW ORLEANS -- Since Dec. 1, the Houston Rockets won 36 of 50 games, a sustained stretch of excellence fueled by an offense that lately has been more lethal and efficient than Golden State's.
In routing the Los Angeles Lakers 139-100 on Wednesday night, the high-octane Rockets had their 10th game this season in which they have scored at least 130 points, the most in the franchise's 46-year history in Houston.
Although the Rockets (47-21) face a far stingier defense Friday night when they take on the Pelicans (27-41) at the Smoothie King Center, expect the scoreboard to morph into beast mode.