Rockets outgun Pelicans, 121-114

Posted: April 12, 2015 -- 10:30 pm.

HOUSTON, TX (Toyota Center) -- The Houston Rockets took awhile to play with energy Sunday night; but, once their energy level rose above slumber, the Rockets raced past the New Orleans Pelicans 121-114 to pick up win number 54 of the regular season.

"We came out; and, I didn't think we were ready to play at the level we had to play which was surprising," Kevin McHale said after the game. "I think we were hoping that it would be easy.

"I think we were coming out and kind of taking their pulse; and, that's a dangerous thing to do."

The Rockets trailed the Pelicans 28-22 after the first quarter. James Harden scored just four points in the first quarter; but, Harden scored 12 points in the second quarter to help the Rockets outscore the Pelicans 30-27 in the second twelve minutes.

The Rockets trailed the Pelicans 55-52 at halftime.

Harden continued his torrid scoring in the third quarter with 14 points which helped the Rockets tie the game at 86 heading into the fourth period.

Dwight Howard scored the first two points of the fourth quarter; then, Howard blocked a shot which led to two made free throws by teammate Corey Brewer for a 90-86 Rockets lead.

"(Corey) Brewer, Dwight (Howard) and that fourth quarter unit are the guys who won the game for us," James Harden said. "They brought the energy. They brought the intensity. We got out in transition. I think Dwight got a couple of blocks and we had a couple of steals and that's what it is, it's basically energy."

Brewer added six more points during a 14-5 Rockets' run for a 100-91 lead with 8:11 remaining in the fourth quarter.

"Brew (Corey Brewer) got out (in transition)," said Kevin McHale. "We ran a couple plays where we just tried to get some action for Brew. He turned the corner and played real aggressive."

The Rockets led by as much as 12 points in the final period; but, some sloppy play and carelessness helped the Pelicans pull within 5 points (117-112) in the final 67 seconds. But, Brewer and Pablo Prigioni each made two free throws to put the game away.

James Harden scored a game-high 30 points while Brewer scored 20 points off the bench.

"We needed this game bad," Brewer said. "We knew that the Spurs game was a tough loss for us. We had a chance to win and we didn't win. So, tonight we had to come out and we had to play the way we played. We got out in transition. We played Rockets basketball and that's why we won the game."

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