Rockets blast past Pelicans 120-87

Coach Willie Green didn't want the Pelicans to have a bad first quarter. The Rockets scored 12 points as a result of New Orleans' 11 turnovers throughout the period. The Pels committed 11 more errors than successful field goals (10), and star forward Zion Williamson struggled to establish a rhythm offensively. Williamson finished the period with two fouls but only one basket.

Jabari Smith, Jr. of Houston took the top spot among scorers with 13 points on 5/6 shooting. The Pelicans trailed the Rockets 33-26 despite CJ McCollum's six points for them. For New Orleans, the second quarter continued in the same manner. Just 14 points were scored by the Pelicans in the period, making it three straight quarters in which they have failed to reach the 20-point threshold. The Rockets' defence became more aggressive as the quarter began, resulting in another turnover by New Orleans.