Pelicans plucked by Rockets, remain tied for 8th
The unofficial theme of Sunday night's Houston Rockets game was "Bye Bye Birdie."
Houston sent the New Orleans Pelicans packing with an 121-114 victory at home. The Rockets will finish without losing more than two consecutive games at any point this season.
The Pelicans' loss leaves them tied with the Oklahoma City Thunder for the No. 8 seed. New Orleans can clinch Monday night if the Thunder lose and the Pelicans defeat the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The Rockets finished the game shooting 53.4 percent from the field, a new season-high field-goal percentage for the team. MVP candidate James Harden put his team on his back with 30 points, knocking down 10-of-18 from the field and sinking a perfect nine shots from the line.
The Pelicans made a strong showing, actually holding the lead for most of the game - losing it once midway through the first quarter and for good after James Harden tied it up late in the third. Corey Brewer helped the Rockets pull away with 13 fourth-quarter points out of his 20 off the bench.
Although Dwight Howard didn't have much luck sinking free throws, the center posted a double-double, finishing with 19 points and 11 rebounds.
New Orleans was a model of unselfish play, with seven players racking up double-digit points. Anthony Davis led his team with 27 points and seven rebounds, and in his second game back from a leg injury, Jrue Holiday racked up 17 points and hit all three money shots from beyond the arc. Ryan Anderson added 15 points and four rebounds off the bench.
Houston, currently sitting a half-game behind the San Antonio Spurs, will face the Charlotte Hornets on Monday night.