Former All-Star Brandon Ingram was dominant Sunday with a game-high 33 points and 12 assists, leading to a 120-107 road victory (box score) for New Orleans at Toyota Center. With the win, the Pelicans (21-32) moved into possession of the No. 10 spot in the Western Conference, which is good for the final spot in the postseason play-in tournament.
The young and rebuilding Rockets (15-38), who remain last in the West, were led by 22 points (53.3% FG) and 8 rebounds from Christian Wood. Rookie guard Jalen Green scored an efficient 18 points for Houston on 50% shooting, while Garrison Mathews connected on 5-of-9 from 3-point range (55.6%) and scored 18 points off the bench.
The Rockets led by 11 early in the third quarter, but the Pelicans then outscored Houston by a commanding 38-17 margin over the remaining 10-plus minutes of the frame to take firm command.
