Rockets (4-0), Pelicans (1-3)
BEIJING – New Orleans' week-long overseas trip was filled with once-in-a-lifetime experiences – including a visit to the Great Wall of China – and many memories worth savoring. Unfortunately, Wednesday's game will not be one of those fond recollections. In the second preseason game between the two teams, Houston quickly built a big lead and went up 59-34 over New Orleans at halftime. The Pelicans made it a much closer margin in the second half, but couldn't quite seriously threaten the Rockets on the scoreboard. Behind individual scoring surges by Dante Cunningham (10 points in third quarter), Quinn Cook (15 points in fourth quarter) and Langston Galloway (14 points in fourth quarter), New Orleans was much better offensively after intermission.
Midway through the first quarter, Pelicans three-time All-Star forward Anthony Davis had to leave the game with what was ruled a right ankle sprain. After the game, there was no further update on Davis' status. Meanwhile, guard E'Twaun Moore also left the game and did not return, due to a right heel contusion.
IT WAS OVER WHEN…
Former New Orleans guard Bobby Brown sank a right wing three-pointer, giving Houston a 91-71 lead with 8:00 remaining. The Pelicans had cut slightly into their big deficit, but the Rockets continued to maintain a comfortable cushion by answering every mini-run.
PELICANS PLAYER UPDATES
Second-round pick Cheick Diallo turned in his best moments of the preseason, including an impressive eight-point second quarter. He finished with 12 points and seven rebounds in his 20 minutes of action. The rookie from Kansas nailed two mid-range jumpers and showed off some nice footwork on offense. …
Cook, a Duke product, got on a roll from the perimeter during the Pelicans' 41-32 fourth quarter. The point guard totaled 20 points, including a four-point play. He also handed out a team-best eight assists, in just 21 minutes. …
Somewhat quietly, Solomon Hill turned in an all-around performance, notching 12 points (9 in the third quarter), seven rebounds, two steals and one block. He was 7/9 at the foul line.
QUOTES TO NOTE
“Obviously we got off to a bad start, and never really recovered from it. It's disappointing. I didn't think we were very aggressive offensively, and we had too many defensive breakdowns.” – Alvin Gentry summing up the game for the Pelicans
“It's very frustrating. It's very frustrating in that we can't seem to get a rhythm, or put the team together, because there is always someone missing.” – Gentry, responding to a question about his reaction to the team again dealing with injuries
“Even though he didn't play in the first two or three games, he came in aggressive. You could see it in practice. He was doing it in practice and turned it into the game.” – Lance Stephenson on Cook giving the Pelicans a spark
BY THE NUMBERS
16: New Orleans turnovers. The night started poorly with seven in the first quarter, leading to 13 Houston points.
41: Points in the fourth quarter for the Pelicans, which was seven more than they tallied in the entire first half. They followed up a 34-point first half with 70 in the second.
