James Harden led the Houston Rockets to their third straight win Monday night in New Orleans, pouring in a game-high 35 points in a 112-111 win against the Pelicans.
Jrue Holiday had 32 points off the bench for the Pels, who lost superstar big man Anthony Davis to a concussion.
Trevor Ariza chipped in with a season-high 31 points for the visitors.
Per the AP:
The Pelicans played the second half without All-Star forward Anthony Davis, who had only nine points on 4-of-9 shooting with Ariza as his primary defender before leaving late in the second quarter after getting elbowed in the head by teammate Tyreke Evans. […] “I’m sure he (Davis)’ll go through the (concussion) protocol,” New Orleans coach Alvin Gentry said. “We’ll find out later on exactly what the situation is.”
Houston, which did not have center Dwight Howard for the third straight game due to a left ankle sprain, hit a season-high 19 3-pointers. Ariza connected on his first six 3s, finished with eight and went 11 for 16 overall one night after scoring what was then a season-best 29 on 11-of-15 shooting against Dallas. […] “I’m just making shots,” he said. “I don’t think I am really doing anything different. What’s been working for us is the game has more of a flow to it. The ball’s been moving a lot better than it has previously.”
The Rockets have lacked a consistent scorer to complement Harden, but Ariza is emerging as an all-around threat. […] “He’s a monster,” Harden said. “He doesn’t get enough credit.”
