Rockets outlast Pelicans 107-105 to move into 3rd place in West

We’ll we’ll start with Dejounte. This is kind of the reason for them to have him in the 4th quarter as we’ve seen in the last few games and being able to have *** guy to go to like that. Just what does it mean to have him during these, uh, stretch runs these last couple of games? Extremely important, these moments, you know, to stay poised, get us in, you know, in our sets, good looks, both sides of the ball. He’s fantastic down the stretch. So, uh, he really settles us, gives us great poise out there, um, so it’s been fantastic. I don’t think you could have executed the last free throw, uh, any better. Was that kind of the plan going in wanting to miss to try to, to, to, to get something. That was, yeah, that, you know. We’re out of timeouts, you know, you know, with that amount of time. We executed, had *** shot to, to win it there at the end, but, um, you know, unfortunately, we had *** 4-point lead and we got to own that, that, that, that possession was huge. We, you know, we stay home for *** reason and we, you know, can’t give up *** 3 there. And then we had the turnover, obviously, that, that cost us, but proud of our guys. They continue to battle, resilient group. Uh, we battled our tail off defensively, held that team to what, 10, I don’t know, 107. Um, you know, I thought our, our defense was gritty all night. We were physical, made it tough on them, and, and built *** 4-point lead, you know, that’s where you want to be. So really proud of the group. Just the team to put yourself back in that position at, at, at this point in the season to see these guys fighting, clawing against *** team who’s fighting for *** top 6, top 4 spot in the playoffs. It just, I mean, as *** coach, what does that mean to see these guys still not coming up with how the season is going? Well, they’re certainly bought in. Um, they believe in each other, um. They got high character. Um, they want to be *** part of something special, you know, they, I think the group understands that. You don’t turn this thing and, you know. One game, one moment, these, these are habits that they’re going to carry with them, you know, into the summer into next season as well. And, um, that’s the goal here is that we’re building something here, you know, big picture as well, and the guys continue to battle and claw. It speaks to their character, their belief in one another, the system, the buy-in. Um, you know, our staff as well. And so, really proud of the group, you know, because they could easily have folded here and we’re probably playing our best basketball this season right now, which is great. This is where you want to be, you know, learning how to, you know, play in these big, big games against teams that are hunting the playoffs and going to be in the playoffs and this team just lost by what, 40 the other night. They’re coming back on their home floor. We continue to battle and built *** 4-point lead with 30 seconds to go, you know, so really proud of the group talked about. The tough decisions that you have to make with *** mostly healthy roster now obviously Pricefield at the toe, but can you talk about how Eve and Carlo, the just the minutes that they gave off the bench tonight? Yeah, they turned the game defensively, you know, their activity at the rim, on the board, both sides of the ball. Um, Carlo hitting big 3s, Eve making big plays at the rim. So they’ve been doing this all year. I’m not surprised. I mean, I don’t know if other people are. I, I’m certainly not. This, these two have been doing this all year. They’re making it tough on me. And we have *** number of guys, there’s 2345 other guys sitting there on the bench that we can go to as well. So, um, but I think their size, their athleticism is really turning our defense. They’re switchable, uh, their ability to contest every shot, run the floor, uh, put out fires, it’s tremendous. So those two have been really, really important. What are you, what are you looking to see chemistry-wise with the official with Dejounte, you know, on the floor? We’re still getting, um, Zion the ball, getting trade the ball. What are you? What’s your opinion? Yeah, I think he’s *** point guard. He’s *** lead guard that he understands his teammates when they need the ball, where they need the ball, timing of it, um, you know, I think he’s done *** great job of just orchestrating and Keeping us in flow and rhythm. That’s, that’s what you want to do as *** point guard is someone that understands the game, understands flow, understands his teammates. Obviously, when he can set up ***, *** Zion drive, um, pocket pass, rim decision, that’s really important for us. And then, you know, Murphy too, you know, trying to get him *** clean look, easy look, and he has *** great feel out there during the game when those guys need *** touch. And they’re building more and more chem chemistry for sure. Like I can, you can see it every game evolving, um, even coming down the stretch there, you know, he, he really held us together and, and kept us in our stuff. So, um, I think the group overall is in *** really good place, you know, with, with, uh, having him back and I think Fierers has been great too. It’s just, you know, Dejounte is *** good player and Fierce is *** good player and you got to make some decisions there, you know, but, uh, I’m really proud of the group, but it’s, great to see Dejounte back out there and, You know, playing at such *** high level right now. Good, thanks.

Updated: 10:54 PM CDT Mar 13, 2026

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Kevin Durant hit a go-ahead 18-footer with 7.6 seconds left and the Houston Rockets outlasted the New Orleans Pelicans 107-105 on Friday night to move into third place in the crowded Western Conference.Durant scored 32 points two nights after matching his season low with 11 in a blowout loss at Denver. Against the Pelicans, he was 13 of 24 from the field and had six rebounds and five assists.Amen Thompson added 23 points for Houston in the opener of five-game homestand. Reed Sheppard scored 18 points, and Jabari Smith Jr. had 16.Dejounte Murray led New Orleans with 35 points, but stepped out of bounds with the Pelicans up a point with 13 seconds remaining. After Durant put the Rockets ahead, Zion Williamson threw the ball out of bounds, and Durant hit two free throws to put it away.Murray was 14 of 18 from the field, hitting 4 of 5 3 pointers.Williamson had 21 points. The Pelicans had won won two straight and three of four.Up nextPelicans: Host Dallas on Monday night.Rockets: Host the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday and Wednesday nights.

HOUSTON —

Durant scored 32 points two nights after matching his season low with 11 in a blowout loss at Denver. Against the Pelicans, he was 13 of 24 from the field and had six rebounds and five assists.

Amen Thompson added 23 points for Houston in the opener of five-game homestand. Reed Sheppard scored 18 points, and Jabari Smith Jr. had 16.

Dejounte Murray led New Orleans with 35 points, but stepped out of bounds with the Pelicans up a point with 13 seconds remaining. After Durant put the Rockets ahead, Zion Williamson threw the ball out of bounds, and Durant hit two free throws to put it away.

Murray was 14 of 18 from the field, hitting 4 of 5 3 pointers.

Williamson had 21 points. The Pelicans had won won two straight and three of four.

Up next

Pelicans: Host Dallas on Monday night.

Rockets: Host the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday and Wednesday nights.

Rockets outlast Pelicans 107-105 to move into 3rd place in West

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