Eric Gordon set a 2019-20 season high with 20 points in 22 minutes, but the undermanned Rockets ran out of steam in the final quarter in a 127-112 loss Sunday night at New Orleans (box score).
The Rockets (22-11) were missing three starters and two future Hall of Famers for the game, with James Harden (toe), Russell Westbrook (rest), and Clint Capela (heel) all out for medical reasons.
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Houston has now lost two of three games after its recent four-game winning streak.
Gordon looked much more athletic and efficient in his first game back after knee surgery, scoring 20 points on 6-of-12 shooting and 4-of-7 from 3-point range (57.1%). But since it was his first game after a layoff of more than six weeks, he was limited to 22 minutes.
The #Rockets who were without Harden, Westbrook & Capela fall to the Pelicans 127-112
But saw the return of @TheofficialEG10 who scored 20 points in 23 minutes@HoustonRockets I #OneMission pic.twitter.com/NpZ5CnjlKO
— AT&T SportsNet SW (@ATTSportsNetSW) December 30, 2019
Between Gordon’s minutes limitation and the absence of three veterans, the Rockets simply didn’t have much experience.
Rookie guard Chris Clemons had 16 points and nine assists while 21-year-old seven-footer Isaiah Hartenstein had 19 points, nine rebounds, and two blocks, but Houston struggled defensively in the fourth quarter as the Pelicans outscored them, 41-19, to put the game away.
The shorthanded #Rockets fall to the Pelicans tonight 127-112.
Despite the loss Mike D'Antoni was encouraged what he saw from players like @Ipjh55 & @idropcoldbucks pic.twitter.com/SqBDYxx1Xb
— AT&T SportsNet SW (@ATTSportsNetSW) December 30, 2019
Down their leading scorers, rebounders & playmakers, the Rockets played the Pels tough thru 3Qs…were up 9 early 4th. BUT then were overwhelmed the rest of the way as NOLA outscored HOU 41-19 down the stretch. EG had 20 in his return. House 22. Harty & Clemons had double-doubles
— Craig Ackerman (@ca_rockets) December 30, 2019
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Facing an inexperienced and often undersized Houstno defense, the Pelicans had four players in Brandon Ingram, Lonzo Ball, Jrue Holiday, and E’Twaun Moore all score at least 25 points on 50% or better shooting.
Danuel House Jr. led the Rockets in scoring with 22 points on 10-of-18 shooting from the field.
Another big night for the #Rockets Isaiah Hartenstein@Ipjh55 got the start against the Pelicans
34 MINUTES
19 POINTS
9-11 FIELD GOALS
9 REBOUNDS
4 ASSISTS
2 BLOCKS@HoustonRockets I #OneMission pic.twitter.com/O2OKAOmRE8— AT&T SportsNet SW (@ATTSportsNetSW) December 30, 2019
Houston returns to action Tuesday at home in a big matchup against the Denver Nuggets (23-9), who the Rockets now trail by 1.5 games in the race for the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference.
Westbrook is expected to play in that game, since his absence Sunday was purely for planned maintenance on the second game of a back-to-back. The statuses of Harden and Capela are not yet clear.
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