Rockets' defense carved up in 131-112 loss to Pelicans

Posted: October 17, 2018 -- 11:29 pm CDT.

HOUSTON, TX (Toyota Center) -- The Houston Rockets had little to no defense Wednesday night in a 131-112 season opening loss to the New Orleans Pelicans. Rockets' Head Coach Mike D'Antoni said the Rockets were tired.

Rockets' forward Gerald Green said the Rockets will watch film Thursday; fix a few things; and get ready for the Los Angeles Lakers Saturday, October 20.

The Pelicans (1-0) dominated the Rockets in the paint. New Orleans outscored the Rockets 76-44 in the paint. The Pelicans' starting frontcourt of superstar Anthony Davis (32 points); forward Nikola Mirotic (30 points); forward E'Twaun Moore (21 points) and forward Julius Randle (25 points)

combined for 108 points on 41 for 68 field goal shooting.

In addition to his 32 points, Davis added 16 boards and a career-high 8 assists. Many of Davis' assists occurred thanks to baskets by Mirotic.

Mirotic (6 for 8 threes) and Randle (2 for 4 threes) made 8 of 12 three-point shot attempts.

The Rockets (0-1) trailed 35-29 at the end of the first quarter and 71-54 at halftime. Houston was outscored 16-5 in the final 3:32 of the first half.

The Pelicans scored at least 30 points in each quarter tonight: 35 in the first; 36 in the second; and 30 each in the third and the fourth.

Houston trailed by as much as 29 points and, except for 0-0, never tied the game.

Eric Gordon scored a team-high 21 points for the Rockets. Chris Paul and PJ Tucker each scored 19 points. James Harden scored 18 and Michael Carter-Williams scored 10. Carmelo Anthony scored 9 points.

Carmelo made his first two shots in the game; however, he only made 1 of his next 8 field goal attempts.

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