HOUSTON — In a back-and-forth contest that went down to the final buzzer, the Houston Rockets came away with a 107-105 win over the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday night at Toyota Center. Kevin Durant led all Houston scorers with 32 points, while Amen Thompson contributed a 12-rebound, 8-assist double-double to anchor the Rockets’ effort. Dejounte Murray delivered 35 points for New Orleans in a determined push, but it ultimately wasn’t enough to overcome a double-digit halftime deficit on the road.
Quarter-by-Quarter Breakdown
First Quarter: Rockets Take Early Control
Houston came out composed and efficient, outscoring New Orleans 28-24 in the opening frame. The Rockets established an early rhythm on both ends of the floor, with their ball movement and interior presence helping them take a four-point lead into the second quarter. The Pelicans stayed within reach but could not match Houston’s pace out of the gate.
Second Quarter: Houston Extends the Lead
The Rockets continued to build their advantage in the second quarter, outscoring the Pelicans 29-25 to take a 57-49 lead into halftime. Houston’s offense remained fluid, pushing the ball in transition and finding open looks from the perimeter. New Orleans struggled with free throw efficiency and turnovers in stretches, allowing the Rockets to maintain a steady eight-point cushion heading into the break.
Third Quarter: Teams Play Even
The third quarter was a balanced affair, with both sides scoring 23 points. Houston maintained its lead but could not extend the margin, as New Orleans tightened defensively and began finding more consistent offense. The Pelicans cut into the deficit at moments but were unable to complete a swing before the fourth quarter began.
Fourth Quarter: Pelicans Stage a Strong Push
New Orleans outscored Houston 33-27 in the final frame, making it a genuine one-possession game in the closing minutes. Dejounte Murray was the driving force behind the Pelicans’ rally, willing his team back into contention. However, the Rockets did just enough down the stretch to preserve the lead, holding on for the 107-105 final.
Key Performers
Kevin Durant — Houston Rockets
Durant led all scorers with 32 points and added 6 rebounds in an authoritative performance. His ability to create his own shot and operate efficiently from mid-range and beyond kept the Pelicans’ defense off-balance throughout the evening. Durant’s composure in critical moments late in the fourth quarter proved essential for Houston’s ability to hold the lead.
Amen Thompson — Houston Rockets
Thompson was outstanding across the stat sheet, recording 12 rebounds and 8 assists to go along with his contributions on the defensive end. He led all Houston players in assists and rebounds, serving as the engine of the Rockets’ halfcourt offense and their primary connector on the perimeter. His versatility on both ends of the floor gave Houston a significant edge in overall team performance.
Dejounte Murray — New Orleans Pelicans
Murray delivered the finest individual performance of the night, posting a game-high 35 points along with 7 rebounds. He was relentless in the fourth quarter, driving Houston’s defense toward foul trouble and generating opportunities at the free throw line. Despite his 35-point effort, the Pelicans fell short as a team, finishing with a 44.0% field goal percentage and a 69.2% free throw rate that left points on the board.
Trey Murphy III — New Orleans Pelicans
Murphy III chipped in with a team-high 7 assists for New Orleans, showcasing his playmaking ability alongside his scoring. His activity in the offense helped keep the Pelicans competitive through the second half.
Herbert Jones — New Orleans Pelicans
Jones led New Orleans in rebounding with 9 boards, providing a physical presence in the paint as the Pelicans attempted to limit Houston’s advantage on the glass.
Game Analysis
This was a game defined by Houston’s first-half control and New Orleans’ second-half resilience. The Rockets built their victory on superior early execution — they outpaced the Pelicans by a combined 57-49 over the first two quarters, and that margin proved just large enough to withstand a spirited fourth-quarter run from their visitors.
From a statistical standpoint, the teams were remarkably close. New Orleans actually shot a slightly higher field goal percentage (44.0% to Houston’s 42.6%) and connected on 40.6% of their three-point attempts compared to Houston’s 34.1%. However, the Rockets held a significant advantage on the boards — 52 rebounds to New Orleans’ 48 — and converted at a better rate from the charity stripe when accounting for opportunities. The Pelicans left points available at the free throw line, going 18-of-26 (69.2%), which in a two-point game carries considerable weight.
Amen Thompson’s combination of 12 rebounds and 8 assists represented exactly the kind of multi-dimensional impact the Rockets have come to rely on alongside Durant’s scoring. Their partnership in the halfcourt gave Houston a reliable two-man foundation that New Orleans had difficulty neutralizing consistently.
For the Pelicans, Murray’s 35-point night was a showcase of individual skill, but New Orleans could not generate enough collective efficiency over 48 minutes to overcome a team of Houston’s caliber at home. Their fourth-quarter run — 33 points on the period — demonstrated real fight, but coming from eight points down on the road with one quarter remaining is a significant ask.
Standings and Series Implications
With the victory, the Houston Rockets improve to 41-25 on the season, reinforcing their standing as one of the Western Conference’s more formidable teams in the playoff picture. Their home record now stands at 23-8, making Toyota Center a legitimately difficult venue for visiting teams this season. The Rockets will continue to push toward seeding position in the West as the regular season approaches its final stretch.
The New Orleans Pelicans fall to 22-46, a record that reflects a challenging season marked by roster inconsistency and health concerns. Despite the loss, their competitive showing in the second half — particularly that 33-point fourth quarter — offers some encouraging signs for the stretch run. Murray’s continued elite-level play remains a bright spot as the organization looks ahead to the offseason and next year’s roster decisions. Attendance at Toyota Center was 18,055 for Friday night’s contest.
