By ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: 02:31 GMT, 9 March 2025 | Updated: 02:31 GMT, 9 March 2025
HOUSTON (AP) - Dillon Brooks had 27 points, Alperen Sengun and Aaron Holiday added 20 each and the Houston Rockets sailed to a 146-117 win over the New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday night.
Houston never trailed in its second straight victory over the Pelicans after getting a [109-97 win](https://apnews.com/article/rockets-pelicans-score-0278c992f429c89e5316235033a1bfec) in New Orleans on Thursday night.
A 3-pointer by CJ McCollum got the Pelicans within 11 with 10 seconds left in the first half before Brooks made a 3-pointer and a Pelicans turnover gave Houston the ball back.
Brooks made two free throws to end the second and the Rockets opened the third with an 8-4 run to extend the lead to 82-62 with 9 1/2 minutes left in the quarter.
The Rockets led by 26 entering the fourth and an 8-2 run made it 117-85 with 10 minutes left.
Houston's Amen Thompson was a rebound shy of a triple-double with 15 points and 11 assists when he was injured with less than six minutes left. He limped to the locker room, but the team didn´t immediately provide details on his injury.
Houston Rockets forward Amen Thompson (1) dunks during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the New Orleans Pelicans in Houston, Saturday, March 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Zion Williamson scored 20 for the Pelicans and Jose Alvarado had 17 off the bench. McCollum also had 17.
Pelicans: They looked thoroughly overmatched in losing for the fourth time in five games.
Rockets: Houston got off to a good start Saturday in taking advantage of a schedule that has the team playing six straight home games. The Rockets look to get on a roll and move up in the standings after dropping to fifth in the Western Conference amid recent struggles.
Houston´s big run spanning the end of the second quarter and the opening minutes of the third.
The Rockets improved to 7-2 in games where Brooks scores at least 20 points.
The Pelicans host Memphis on Sunday night and the Rockets get a visit from Orlando on Monday night.
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Houston Rockets forward Amen Thompson (1) passes against New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) and guard Trey Murphy III, left, during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Houston, Saturday, March 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
New Orleans Pelicans forward Jeremiah Robinson-Earl (50) and forward Zion Williamson (1) defend against Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun (28) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Houston, Saturday, March 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Houston Rockets forward Tari Eason (17) dunks against New Orleans Pelicans guard Trey Murphy III (25) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Houston, Saturday, March 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson, right, defends against Houston Rockets guard Aaron Holiday during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Houston, Saturday, March 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) reacts during a timeout in the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Houston Rockets in Houston, Saturday, March 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) fouls Houston Rockets forward Dillon Brooks (9) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Houston, Saturday, March 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)