New Orleans Pelicans (0-2) @ Houston Rockets (2-0)
De’Aaron Fox | Kevin Huerter | Jimmy Butler | Wendell Carter Jr | Alperen Sengun
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander | D’Angelo Russell | Matisse Thybulle | Precious Achiuwa | Jarrett Allen
The Pelicans fought hard but ultimately couldn’t steal their first win of the series in Houston. New Orleans heald the lead for the entire first half as they exploded out of the blocks but the clamping defence of the Rockets proved too strong in the third as they began a fantastic comeback to ultimately run away with it down the stretch.
The Pels were down by just four points with a minute remaining on the clock when D’Angelo Russell got the ball and made up for his quiet night by sinking a dagger three-pointer over De’Aaron Fox. New Orleans decided to start Kevin Huerter over DiVincenzo to make Russell’s life tougher and he achieved that admirably. The Pelicans were probably the better team on the night, however still are struggling to get any meaningful production out of Jimmy Butler, who posted just 13 points in the contest at a 25% clip from the field.
For Houston, their dependable names continued to shine, particularly through the second half. D’Lo and SGA have been simply unstoppable throughout this series, as the lack of D in the Pelicans’ backcourt has been exposed by the two explosive players. The win on their home floor means that the Rockets are just one game away from a sweep against the #2 seed and onto the second round.
NOP | 29 | 26 | 13 | 23 | 91
HOU | 15 | 24 | 25 | 34 | 98
Gilgeous-Alexander: 25pts, 8reb, 6ast
Russell: 22pts, 6reb, 8ast
Allen: 14pts, 15reb, 2blk
Achiuwa: 12pts, 11reb
Fox: 23pts, 4reb, 7ast
Sengun: 23pts, 11reb
Huerter: 14pts
De’Aaron Fox | Kevin Huerter | Jimmy Butler | Wendell Carter Jr | Alperen Sengun
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander | D’Angelo Russell | Matisse Thybulle | Precious Achiuwa | Jarrett Allen
It was the same old story as the Rockets were yet again led by their backcourt to a blowout win over the New Orleans Pelicans. Russell, Allen and Gilgeous-Alexander showed why they are the most exciting big three in the league as they dominated from the outset on the way to a 31 point win.
De’Aaron Fox led an offensive explosive, dropping 40 points of his own as Jimmy Butler finally showed up to the party with a series-high 25 points. This wasn’t enough on the night, as a demolition job in the second and third stanzas saw the Rockets close out the series and move onto the West semi-finals.
The Rockets will be pleased with the production of their usual names, however mostly excited by Jalen Green’s career play-off high of 22 points as he took advantage of Donte DiVincenzo having the job of guarding him. Houston will most likely take on Minnesota in the next round.
For New Orleans, they simply did not get enough out of Jimmy Butler this series. On paper, they should be competing with the best of them, but were found out with their lack of offensive creativity and their inability to defend the paint. Butler is tied down until 2025 on a bumper contract so it remains to be seen how he and De’Aaron Fox can grow together along with young gun Alperen Sengun. Over the off season they will need to hunt down some stronger role players and also some interior defenders if they want to have another tilt at the title next year.
NOP | 27 | 21 | 29 | 33 | 110
HOU | 29 | 34 | 42 | 36 | 141
Russell: 32pts, 5reb, 9ast
Allen: 24pts, 13reb, 5blk
Gilgeous-Alexander: 23pts, 6reb, 7ast, 2stl, 2blk
Green: 22pts, 3reb, 3ast
Fox: 40pts, 6ast
Butler: 25pts, 10reb, 7ast