Pelicans take rematch in Houston, 117-107

It was necessary.

The New Orleans Pelicans simply had to win Sunday evening at Houston after blowing a game to the lowly Rockets Friday night.

This time, the Pelicans did not fold in a 117-107 victory.

New Orleans built a 64-44 halftime lead and, despite the Rockets winning the second half, the Pelicans were never really threatened.

The closest Houston got in the second half was within seven points but that was with 36.1 seconds remaining at 114-107.

This time, there would be no collapse.

Herb Jones sank a pair of free throws and CJ McCollum split a pair of free throws and the Pelicans forced a turnover in the final 36.1 seconds to secure the win.

McCollum and Brandon Ingram each scored 26 points, what the Pelicans need from their two stars. Jonas Valanciunas came up huge with 21 points and 12 rebounds, what the Pelicans need from their true third option. McCollum had 16 of his 26 points in the first half.

After being beaten badly on the boards Friday night, New Orleans enjoyed a 39-36 edge on the boards Sunday evening.

The Pelicans also reversed the points in the paint advantage Houston had Friday night as the Pelicans outscored the Rockets 52-34 in that department.

For a change, the Pelicans got out in transition as well, scoring 17 fast break points.

New Orleans shot 49 percent from the field, 41 percent from 3-point range and 83 percent from the free throw line. Another encouraging sign was the Pelicans finished with 28 assists on 42 made field goals.

Now 34-37, the Pelicans moved into a tie for 11th with the Lakers in the Western Conference, a half game out of the tenth and final play-in spot, a half game behind Utah and Minnesota.

With 11 games remaining, the Pelicans return home to face a bad San Antonio team in a must-win game Tuesday night. The Spurs are 19-52 but keep in mind that the Rockets are now 18-53 and got a win over New Orleans.

Despite struggling mightily in the New Year, the Pelicans still have a good shot at making the top ten but likely need a winning record of at least six wins the rest of the way to do so.