The Houston Rockets defeated the visiting New Orleans Pelicans, 117 - 107, at Toyota Center on Friday evening. The Pelicans (30 - 42) started out strong, leading 33 - 28 after one quarter, and managed to stay on top, with a one - point lead at halftime. The game remained close through the third quarter, while the Rockets (50 - 22) managed to grab a one - point lead heading into the final frame. The Rockets came out with intensity in the fourth, and closed out strong, as they out - scored the Pelicans 37 - 38 in the quarter to seal their 50th win of the season. This marks Houston's third straight win, while the Pelicans' three game winning streak was put to rest. James Harden led the way for the Rockets with 38 points, 17 assists and seven rebounds, while managing to restrict himself to only three turnovers, in 38 minutes. Patrick Beverley went 4 - of - 7 from long range, on his way to 17 points, to go along with six rebounds and two assists, in 31 minutes. Eric Gordon chipped in 14 points on 5 - of - 10 shooting, in 33 minutes off the bench, while Clint Capela double - doubled with 10 points and 14 rebounds. The Rockets now look ahead to Sunday, when they play host to the Thunder. Meanwhile, Anthony Davis and DeMarcus Cousins combined for 62 points, as they came up just short of what would have been a very impressive win, had they been able to hold on. Davis finished with 33 points and 16 rebounds, while Cousins followed up with 29 points, six rebounds four assists and four blocked shots. Jrue Holiday chipped in 18 points and dished nine assists, while the only other player to score in double digits for New Orleans was Jordan Crawford, who finished with 12. The Pelicans playoff hopes are dwindling, but they will look to continue the push, as they visit Denver to take on the Nuggets on Sunday.
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 "PlayerStat(G,'DeMarcus Cousins') has 4 Assists ,has 4 Blocks ,has 29 3-pointers attempted ,has 6 3-pointers made ."
 "PlayerStat(G,'Jrue Holiday') has 9 Assists ,has 12 Blocks ,has 18 3-pointers attempted ."
 "PlayerStat(G,'Jordan Crawford') has 12 Assists ."
 "PlayerStat(G,'Clint Capela') has 10 Assists ."
 "PlayerStat(G,'Patrick Beverley') has 2 Assists ,has 7 Blocks ,has 4 3-pointers attempted ,has 31 3-pointers made ,has 17 Field goals attempted ,has 6 Field goals made ."
 "PlayerStat(G,'James Harden') has 17 Assists ,has 38 Blocks ,has 38 3-pointers attempted ,has 7 3-pointers made ,has 3 Field goals attempted ."
 "PlayerStat(G,'Eric Gordon') has 10 Assists ,has 5 Blocks ,has 33 3-pointers attempted ,has 14 3-pointers made ."]