Pelicans dominate first quarter, cruise to win over Rockets

Playing without Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram and Larry Nance Jr., the New Orleans Pelicans needed both to get off to a fast start and contributions from everyone who set foot on the hardwood Wednesday night at Smoothie King Center.

New Orleans had both scenarios play out perfectly in a 119-108 victory over Houston.

The win pushed the Pelicans to 17-4, the best start in franchise history.

It was easy most of the night as the Pelicans played three superb quarters before letting up, committing some turnovers and watching what was once a 31-point bulge shrink to single digits late in the game before putting it away.

The Pelicans exploded out of the gates, scoring on virtually every possession to take a commanding 45-22 lead after one quarter. New Orleans maintained the same lead at 75-52 at halftime as New Orleans made 11 shots from 3-point range in the half.

The lead was 98-73 going to the final frame.

The Pelicans enjoyed balanced scoring with six players in double figures, led by CJ McCollum who managed 28 points and six assists. Jonas Valanciunas had 16 points and 17 rebounds while Naji Marshall added 16 points and seven rebounds. Willy Hernangomez had 14 points and seven rebounds while Trey Murphy also scored 14. Jose Alvarado broke out of mini shooting slump with 13 points while handing out five assists.

The Pelicans sank 23 of 26 free throws and scored 25 points off 13 Houston turnovers. New Orleans won the battle of the boards by a 51-43 margin.

It was a good team win without key players, and the formula will be needed moving forward without stars like Williamson and Ingram.

The Pelicans did that on this night against a lowly Houston team but the task gets much tougher Friday night at the Smoothie King Center against Brooklyn, an elite squad which just had a 12-game winning streak snapped tonight in Chicago.