The New Orleans Pelicans’ opening stretch to the season was grueling.
Eight of the team’s first 11 games were on the road, and in a seven-day stretch, New Orleans played two sets of back-to-backs.
Headed into Saturday’s game against the Houston Rockets, the Pelicans were well rested and armed with the knowledge that they will get to sleep in their own beds for more than a week.
The Pelicans started out strong against the Rockets, and though they experienced a third-quarter lull, they did enough to come away with a 119-106 win.
The Pelicans, who had lost three of their previous four games, were able to put some poor performances behind them. They improved to 3-2 at Smoothie King Center and 7-6 overall.
In Thursday’s loss, Zion Williamson attempted six shots through three quarters. Two nights later, the Pelicans made a concerted effort to get him the ball. Williamson crushed the Rockets in the first quarter, when he scored 14 points on 4-of-4 shooting and dished three assists.
“We were just getting the ball to him in spots where he had a live-ball dribble with movement around him,” Pelicans coach Willie Green said. “We trust him to score or make the right play. Then there were times when he was bringing it up. Something he’s done before. Sort of playing point guard for us.”
New Orleans scored 12 baskets in the first quarter. Eleven of them were assisted.
In the second quarter, the Pelicans opened up their lead to as many as 18 points. They appeared headed toward a blowout win.
But in the third quarter, the Pelicans’ focus lapsed. New Orleans was outscored 37-21 in the quarter. It fell behind by as many as eight points in the second half.
“We just had a brain fog,” Green said. “They decided to come out and play a bit faster. They were getting down the court faster and attacking. I just didn’t think we did a good job of coming out after halftime that we wanted to put our foot on their necks.”
With 2:09 remaining, Brandon Ingram broke a tie by hitting a pair of free throws. On New Orleans’ next possession, Williamson passed the ball to Jose Alvarado, whose 3-pointer from the left wing stretched his team’s lead to five points.
Williamson was sublime. He scored 26 points on 8-of-9 shooting. He did not miss until late in the fourth quarter. He also had six assists.
Off the bench, Alvarado contributed 12 points. His energy in the fourth quarter changed the game. Alvarado and Kevin Porter exchanged words late in the game, which got both of them ejected. Alvarado hyped up the crowd as he was escorted off the floor.
“I enjoy just bringing the energy,” Alvarado said. “I am not with that drama stuff. But I just bring the juice for my team. If that takes what it takes today, I will do that every time. I ain’t running from no smoke.”
The Pelicans allowed their lead to briefly slip away because of lackadaisical defense. Jalen Green scored 33 points for the Rockets, and he connected on five 3s.
The Pelicans refocused on defense in the fourth quarter, and they played through Williamson. Because of that, they were able to win.
“We have room to grow,” Green said. “We will continue to build. But this was a good win for us.”
