The Houston Rockets earned their third win of the season against the Golden State Warriors by dominating Saturday’s double NBA champions on their 118-112 floor.
In the absence of their best player James Harden, a cervical injury, the Rockets relied on veteran Chris Paul, who scored 23 points and 17 assists. While Eric Gordon scored 25 points and Swiss pivot Clint Capela took 15 rebounds.
Houston had a 20-point lead in the second quarter, but had to contain the return of the Warriors, led by trio Kevin Durant scored 29 points, Stephen Curry scored 25 points and Klay Thompson scored 20 points.
The Rockets (34 v-25 d) posted the fifth best record of the Western association, still dominated by Golden State (42 v-17 d).
Pelicans dominate the Lakers without Anthony Davis
The Los Angeles Lakers fell Saturday on the floor of the Pelicans in New Orleans bowing 128 to 115. Two days after an impressive comeback and a win against the Houston Rockets, the Lakers appeared helpless against the Pelicans, deprived of their star Anthony Davis, put to rest by his team.
Davis, who has expressed his wish to leave New Orleans, is in cold with the management of his team, who announced that it would reduce his playing time until the end of the season.
LeBron James and his team-mates, however, failed to take advantage of the absence of the pivot Pelicans, counting 42 points in the first quarter and displaying defensive deficiencies.
New Orleans Pelicans dominate the Lakers without Anthony Davis. (Source:www.pelicandbrief.com)
Jrue Holiday scored 27 points and Julius Randle scored 24 points carried the Pelicans, and Cheick Diallo added 18 units out of the bench. While Brandon Ingram finished top scorer with 29 points and James scored twice with 27 points and 12 assists.
Tenth in the Western association with 29 wins and 30 losses, the Lakers, who have not taken part in the playoffs since 2013, are now three and a half games behind their Clippers neighbors in the race in 8th place.
