On December 24, in the NBA regular season, the Rockets challenged the Pelicans away, and in the end, the Rockets defeated the Pelicans 106-104 away and won 2 in a row!
The Rockets ended their losing streak with a win in their last game, and the Pelicans also won their last game. In the first quarter, Zion forced it in, the Rockets played 9-0, the Pelicans responded 8-0, Shen Jing and Smith scored 8 points in a row, Al Radvado tossed, Smith hit the board, Alvarado pulled the rod in, Ingram broke through, Shen Jing made a basket to continue, Jalen Green broke through and scored, Marshall played 2+1, Zion scored 4 points in a row, and the Rockets led by 2 points 26-24 in the first quarter.
In the second quarter, the Pelicans continued to bite, and Zion chased it to 33-33. Eason jumper from the free throw line, Valan scored continuously, Murphy hit a three-point shot at the top of the arc, Dillon hit the free throw line from mid-range, Smith chased a three-point shot, Murphy dunked, VanVleet opened the three-point, Zion pulled the rod at a small angle, Shin Jing threw down, the Pelicans quickly overtook the Rockets, and after halftime, the Pelicans led the Rockets by 4 points.
In the third quarter, Jones hit a three-pointer from the bottom corner, and Smith quickly responded as the Rockets chased all the way to 62-62. Zion threw up and McCollum hit a three-pointer to stop the Rockets. Shen Jing turned around and hooked his hand, Jones hit another three points, Shen Jing scored in a row, Ingram made a low-handed layup to stop the bleeding, Earl received the ball on a rebound, Smith received the empty basket, the two teams were still difficult to solve, and after three quarters, the Pelicans led the Rockets by 5 points.
In the fourth quarter, Holiday made a three-pointer from the bottom corner, Tate turned to overtake, and Murphy hit another three-pointer 91-91. VanVleet was fined mid-range and Ingram responded with a mid-range shot, and the scores between the two teams were tight for a long time. In the final period, Shen Jing made one of two free throws and Smith dunked violently, and the Rockets led by 4 points. Earl Kong took the hand, Shin Jing made an empty basket, McCollum scored a layup, and there was not much time left, and the Rockets still had a thrilling victory.