Rockets find a way to win again with 107-98 win over Pelicans

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Rockets find a way to win again with 107-98 win over New Orleans

Rockets' starters score 91 points

Posted: December 28, 2013 -- 10:43 pm CST.

HOUSTON, TX (Toyota Center) -- The Houston Rockets found a way to win again with a solid 107-98 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans Saturday night.

"We found a way to win; but, it was another in a long line of games that feel like you are pulling teeth," said head coach Kevin McHale after the game.

The first quarter featured five ties and three lead changes. The Rockets finished the first with an 11-2 run to lead 31-22 after the first 12 minutes.

Dwight Howard scored 10 points in the opening quarter (5 for 5 field goals) and grabbed 10 boards.

When the Rockets went to the bench players to start the second period, Jason Smith and Tyreke Evans sparked a 10-3 Pelicans' run which cut the Rockets' lead to 34-32. Chandler Parsons scored five points and dished to Terrence Jones for a dunk as the Rockets raced to a 13-6 run to lead by nine points with 4:38 remaining until halftime.

The Rockets (21-11) did not finish the quarter strong at all: four turnovers, one basket and 3 for 4 shooting from the line which was countered by the Pelicans one turnover and six made baskets to tie the game at 52 at the half.

The Rockets made just 2 of their 16 three-point field goal attempts in the first 24 minutes.

The third quarter was close the entire 12 minutes. Four points was the largest lead for either team during the period.

The Pelicans (13-15) led 73-69 before Aaron Brooks sank a three-point bucket to cut the deficit to one. Brooks' 3-point field goal was the only three-point shot the Rockets made in the third period - out of five attempts.

Omri Casspi closed out the quarter with a layup for a 74-73 Rockets' lead after three quarters.

Jeremy Lin scored the first four points of the fourth quarter; but, the Pelicans tied the game at 78 two minutes later.

Moments later, Lin nailed a 26-foot shot to put the Rockets up 84-80; but, the Pelicans answered with a 12-4 run to lead 92-88 with 4:54 remaining.

The momentum swung in the Rockets' direction when Terrence Jones rebounded a missed shot by Anthony Davis and dribbled coast-to-coast for a right-handed driving layup. Jones was fouled and made the free throw for a 92-91 Pelicans' lead.

"Terrence had a huge play on the rebound coast-to-coast that kind of got the crowd back into it," McHale said.

Davis nailed a jump shot for his sixth straight point; but, Lin tied the game with a 3 point basket. James Harden splashed in a 3-point shot of his own for a 97-94 lead.

The Rockets did not trail after Harden's three-point bucket.

Leading 101-98, Chandler Parsons rebounded his own missed shot and scored a put-back layup for a five point lead with 61 seconds remaining.

Harden added a 19-foot jump shot and 2 free throws to help seal the win for the Rockets.

Harden finished the game with 21 points -- 11 in the fourth quarter on 4-for-4 field goal shooting.

"It was winning time," said Harden. "I was struggling the first three quarters (3 for 12 field goals) and couldn't find the rhythm."

Dwight Howard scored a game-high 24 points and grabbed a game-high 18 rebounds.

Parsons scored 19 points and snared seven rebounds while Terrence Jones added 17 points and eight boards.

Jeremy Lin scored all 10 of his points in the fourth quarter.

"The last two games have been really ugly games; really tough games for us," Lin said. "I do think these are character wins; but, I wouldn't want to play like we did the first three quarters. But, some nights it is going to be like that. We just need to make sure it's not like that every night."

The Rockets hit the road for Sunday match-up with the Oklahoma City Thunder. Tip is set for 6 p.m.