Davis, Mirotic lead Pelicans past Rockets 131-112
HOUSTON (AP) - Anthony Davis had 32 points, 16 rebounds and eight assists while Nikola Mirotic scored 30 points to lead the New Orleans Pelicans to a 131-112 win over the Houston Rockets in their season opener on Wednesday night.
Davis added three blocks and three steals, while Mirotic shot a sizzling 6 of 8 from 3-point range, and Julius Randle had 25 points off the bench.
Eric Gordon led the Rockets with 21 points off the bench, while P.J. Tucker and Chris Paul both added 19 points. James Harden had 18 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds.
The Pelicans dominated the first half, taking an early lead and never relinquished it as they hammered the undersized Rockets in the paint. New Orleans led 71-54 at the break and led by 29 points in the second half.
New Orleans dominated Houston in paint scoring, 76-44, and also shot 40 percent on 10 of 25 shooting from 3, compared with a rusty 33.3 percent (16 of 48) from the Rockets.
The most points Houston allowed in regulation last season was 129 points in a 129-113 loss to Toronto, also allowing 142 in a double-overtime win over the Lakers.
Defense was a major question mark for the Rockets entering the season after losing Trevor Ariza and Luc Mbah a Moute in the offseason as well as the September retirement of former associate head coach Jeff Bzdelik, effectively Houston's defensive coordinator the past two seasons.
Coming off the bench for Houston with seven minutes remaining in the first quarter, Rockets offseason pickup Carmelo Anthony received a standing ovation when he entered the game wearing his trademark headband and the No. 7. Antony made his first two shot attempts, the first, from 3, and finished 3-of-10 shooting for nine points in 27 minutes off the bench.
The Pelicans opened their season with a win for the first time since the 2014-15 season.
All five Pelicans starters scored in double figures as E'Twaun Moore had 21 points, and Jrue Holiday and Elfrid Payton both adding 10 points.
Houston went 3-1 against New Orleans last season and had won 11 of the past 14 meetings entering Wednesday.
TIP-INS
Pelicans: New Orleans was 16-1 last season when scoring 123 points or more and only topped 130 points four times, twice in overtime. . C Jahlil Okafor (right ankle sprain) entered the game late in the fourth quarter, playing less than two minutes.
Rockets: PG Michael Carter-Williams (left knee soreness) played on a minutes restriction as a precaution, with coach Mike D'Antoni setting the cap around 15 minutes. Carter-Williams played 16 minutes and had 10 points. . Centers Nene (right calf tightness) and Zhou Qi (left knee sprain) did not play.
UP NEXT
Pelicans: Host Kings on Friday.
Rockets: At Lakers on Saturday.