By ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: 23:21 EST, 6 March 2025 | Updated: 23:21 EST, 6 March 2025
NEW ORLEANS (AP) - Amen Thompson had 21 points and 11 rebounds and the Houston Rockets had a dominating second half to beat the New Orleans Pelicans 109-97 on Thursday night to open a home-and-home set.
Alperen Sengun added 22 points, eight assists and three steals, and Tari Eason scored 21 points as the Rockets snapped a three-game losing streak. They had lost their last eight road games.
Trey Murphy III scored 26 points to lead the Pelicans. Zion Williamson had 20 points and 10 rebounds.
Thompson had 12 points in the second half, including a dunk to cap the Rockets' opening spurt right out of the break that put them ahead for the first time - and for the rest of the game. They later had a 12-0 run in the third quarter.
When Houston trailed by double figures in the first quarter, Thompson had a highlight two-handed slam. He went around rookie Yves Missi and made a double-clutch move to get the dunk.
Rockets: Houston, currently the fifth seed in the Western Conference, is 11-3 against division foes this season.
Houston Rockets forward Amen Thompson (1) gets around New Orleans Pelicans center Yves Missi (21) for a basket during the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Thursday, March 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)
Pelicans: Williamson was only 5-of-15 shooting from the field, but did hit 10 of 12 free throws.
The Rockets never led until a 9-1 run in the first two minutes of the second half, a quick spurt that Thompson capped with a dunk. They led the rest of the way, going ahead by as many as 17 points.
Thompson had eight dunks.
The Rockets and Pelicans play again Saturday night, this time in Houston.
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
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AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba
Houston Rockets forward Amen Thompson (1) dunks against the New Orleans Pelicans during the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Thursday, March 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)
Houston Rockets guard Reed Sheppard (15) shoots against the New Orleans Pelicans during the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Thursday, March 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)
New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) gets fouled with attempting a dunk against Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun (28) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Thursday, March 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)
New Orleans Pelicans guard Trey Murphy III (25) celebrates after a 3-point basket against the Houston Rockets during the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Thursday, March 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)
New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) grabs a rebound next to Houston Rockets forward Tari Eason (17) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Thursday, March 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)
Houston Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr., front left, and New Orleans Pelicans forward Kelly Olynyk, right, become entangled during the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Thursday, March 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)
Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun (28) steals the ball from New Orleans Pelicans guard Trey Murphy III (25) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Thursday, March 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)
New Orleans Pelicans guards Trey Murphy III (25) and Jose Alvarado (15) celebrate during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Houston Rockets in New Orleans, Thursday, March 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)
New Orleans Pelicans guard Trey Murphy III (25) shoots against Houston Rockets forward Dillon Brooks (9) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Thursday, March 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)