Cousins can’t help Pelicans

The Pelicans’ tandem of newly acquired All-Star DeMarcus Cousins and All-Star Game MVP Anthony Davis was no match for the surging Houston Rockets on Thursday night. Reserve Lou Williams hit seven three-pointers and scored 27 points in his Rockets debut after a trade from the Lakers, and Houston crushed New Orleans 129-99.

Feb. 23: Rockets vs. Pelicans

FEBRUARY 23: DeMarcus Cousins #0 of the New Orleans Pelicans Montrezl Harrell #5 of the Houston Rockets and James Harden #13 go for a rebound during the first half of a game at the Smoothie King Center on February 23, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.

Blinebury: Confident Rockets Winning, Having Fun

When the 2015 Western Conference finals were over, James Harden could barely make the trudge down the hallway to the interview room and it was all he could do to sit upright behind the microphone. Just a short time earlier, Harden had the ball in his hands and tried one last desperate lunge toward the basket .