Refuse to reverse! Durant 15 points, Smith 26+5, Rockets beat Pelicans, Zion 13+4

The NBA preseason continues, and the Rockets face off against the Pelicans. In this game, the two teams played a relatively close game. The offensive efficiency in the entire first half, especially the shooting from beyond the three-point line, was not ideal. This also kept the score difference in a stalemate. Both sides made more achievements, and many people scored in double figures in the first half. The Rockets relied on their performance in the second half to expand their lead and stabilize their advantage to win the game.

The Rockets started with Amen, Durant, Jabari, Shen Jing, and Adams; the Pelicans started with Poole, Murphy, Jones, Zion, and Missy. After the game started, the Rockets quickly entered the state and scored twice in a row. Then Amen also hit a three-pointer from the outside to start the game 7-0. Poole hit a three-pointer to break the deadlock. But the Rockets still maintained their touch, and the score quickly reached 12:3. The Pelicans also continued their touch. Murphy was able to hit three-pointers and then attack the basket. After scoring consecutively, the Pelicans closed the gap to only 4 points. The two sides fell into a tug-of-war, and the score rose alternately. A breakaway dunk stopped the Pelicans. After the timeout, the Pelicans responded with a wave of 8:0, completing the lead and taking a two-point lead in the first quarter.

In the second quarter, Shepard hit a three-pointer, and Ethan counterattacked and dunked. The Rockets regained their advantage 5:0. On the contrary, the Pelicans were a little flustered on both offense and defense. They were beaten by the Rockets and the point difference reached 8 points before calling a timeout again. Poole came back and hit a three-pointer to stop the team's bleeding. Durant hit a mid-range jumper, and Jabari made two free throws to stabilize the Rockets' advantage. The Pelicans continued to rush inside to finish or stand on the free throw line to score. A wave of climax led to a climax where the score difference reached 4 points again. There was also an episode in the game when Amen and Alvarado clashed while fighting for the ball. Alvarado was called for a technical foul, and Amen was called for a first-level flagrant foul. The Pelicans continued to narrow the point difference with two free throws. In the second quarter, the two teams scored 34:31 in a single quarter. The Rockets took a one-point lead at the end of the half.

The Rockets continued their touch at the beginning of the second half. Amen broke through and made an easy layup. Smith made a three-pointer from the outside. Adams also made a tip-in. The Pelicans stopped the Pelicans again with a 10-2 start. After returning from the timeout, the offense of the substitutes still did not pick up. Smith hit a three-pointer in conversion and also made foul shots after returning. He scored 5 points in a row. The Rockets' lead had reached 14 points. Missy dunked, Zion counterattacked with a steal and performed a mid-air turning tomahawk dunk, and the Pelicans started to score. And quickly narrowed the point difference to single digits. The Rockets also responded. The score increased alternately. Durant scored 2+1. The Rockets stabilized the situation and still led by double digits at the end of the third quarter.

In the final quarter, Capela hit a tip-in, Holiday scored a three-pointer, Hawkins scored a three-pointer, and Shepard returned a three-pointer. The two sides were in a tug of war, and the Rockets still maintained a double-digit advantage. During the stalemate, Phils scored 2+1, and Hawkins committed a three-point foul. The Pelicans bench offense began to pick up, and they played a wave to catch up to only 4 points. During the stalemate, the Rockets still stabilized their advantage and won the game.

The first half of this game was relatively stalemate. Both teams made a lot of achievements, and many people scored in double figures. However, in the third quarter, the Rockets played a wave, quickly expanding the lead to double digits, and repeatedly withstood the substitutes' chasing points to establish the lead and maintain the advantage until the end. The Pelicans' starting lineup all scored in double figures, but there was no scoring breakthrough point. Xi'an was also in average condition and scored 13 points, 3 rebounds and 4 assists on 6 of 11 shots. Although they bit the score many times, they were eventually taken away by the Rockets.

Smith and Amen performed very well in this campaign. Smith made 7 of 16 shots and scored 26 points and 5 rebounds. Amen scored 21 points and 6 rebounds on 5 of 8 shots. In addition, Shen Jing scored 8 points, 12 rebounds and 7 assists on 2 of 8 shots. Durant scored 15 points and 4 rebounds on 6 of 13 shots. Ethan, who came on the bench, also scored in double figures and the team flourished, eventually winning the game.