Pelicans vs. Rockets: Score, Stats & Highlights

James Harden finished with 26 points, seven rebounds and 15 assists (Getty)

Final Score

Pelicans 30-35-30-22 117
Rockets 37-31-25-30 123

In the first of two games the teams will play in China as part of the NBA Global Games, the Houston Rockets outlasted the New Orleans Pelicans by the final score of 123-117 in Shanghai. James Harden led the way offensively with 26 points, seven rebounds and 15 assists (he did have eight turnovers), with Eric Gordon adding 24 points and Ryan Anderson 21. In total Houston had four starters in double figures, with center Clint Capela accounting for 12 points and seven rebounds, and subs Nene and K.J. McDaniels scored 11 points apiece off the bench.

New Orleans was led by guard E’Twaun Moore, who scored 25 points on 10-for-15 shooting from the field and Anthony Davis added 23. Davis scored 17 of his points in the first half as the Pelicans managed to trim an 11-point deficit to just three at the intermission. Also scoring in double figures for New Orleans were rookie guard Buddy Hield (14 points), center Omer Asik (14) and forward Solomon Hill (11). Point guard Tim Frazier finished with seven points, eight rebounds and nine assists.

As was the case in Houston’s exhibition wins over the Shanghai Sharks and New York Knicks, the three-point line was a key factor in the outcome. Houston made 16 threes on the day, outscoring the Pelicans 48-21 in that aspect of the game, with Gordon (five) and Anderson (four) responsible for nine of those makes. The two teams will play once more, Wednesday in Beijing, before returning to the United States.

Below are some highlights from the game via Twitter.