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SportsPulse: While All-Star captains Lebron James and Steph Curry are entitled to draft their teams however they want, USA TODAY Sports' Sam Amick and Jeff Zillgitt have their own thoughts. USA TODAY Sports

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The New Orleans Pelicans will be without All-Star big man DeMarcus Cousins for the rest of the season after Cousins suffered a torn left Achilles tendon Friday.

Cousins had to be helped off the floor after suffering the injury in the closing seconds of the Pelicans’ 115-113 home victory against the Houston Rockets. An MRI after the game revealed a full tear of the Achilles, reported Sam Amick of USA TODAY Sports, which will end Cousins' season after 48 games. A person with knowledge of the situation told USA TODAY Sports but requested anonymity because the injury wasn't yet announced publicly.

The injury came after Cousins followed his missed free throw with 15 seconds left. Cousins ran through the lane to try to get the rebound, punched the ball away from the Rockets' Trevor Ariza and jumped near the baseline to save the ball from going out of bounds. As he landed, Cousins appeared unable to place any weight on his left foot before collapsing to the ground.

Cousins, who was set to start for LeBron James' team in the All-Star Game, finished the game with a triple double (15 points, 13 rebounds, 11 assists).

New Orleans had to survive a furious Houston rally to pick up its fourth consecutive victory and seventh win in eight games.

Chris Paul scored a season-high 38 points before fouling out in the final seconds and nearly led the Rockets back from a 21-point, third-quarter deficit.

Houston tied it at 104-104 on Luc Mbah a Moute’s layup with 2:34 to go. And the game was tied once more at 109 on Ariza’s three-pointer with 1:17 to go before Jrue Holiday’s driving floater and Cousins’ putback gave New Orleans the lead for good.

Anthony Davis added 27 points for the Pelicans.

TIP-INS

Rockets: Harden moved into second in Rockets history in assists with 3,347, passing Allen Leavell’s 3,339. … Harden missed eight of nine 3-point attempts, although six of his free throws came after he was fouled on 3s. … Former Pelican Ryan Anderson, who came in averaging 10.1 points, did not score, missing all three of his shots.

Pelicans: Piled up 24 assists on 27 field goals in the first half and finished with 36 assists on 44 made shots. … Recently acquired guard DeAndre Liggins contributed a pair of timely 3s in the second half. … Improved to 14-9 at home.

UP NEXT

Rockets: Host Phoenix on Sunday.

Pelicans: Host Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday.

The Associated Press contributed to this report

Triple-double tracker: 2017-18 NBA season
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51. Marc Gasol (Jan. 26) -
51. Marc Gasol (Jan. 26) - 13 points, 12 rebounds, 10 assists vs. Clippers.  Justin Ford, USA TODAY Sports
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Jan. 26: Pelicans center DeMarcus Cousins (0) goes
Jan. 26: Pelicans center DeMarcus Cousins (0) goes to the basket against Houston Rockets center Clint Capela (15) in the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Friday, Jan. 26, 2018. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) ORG XMIT: LAGH101  Gerald Herbert, AP
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Jan. 26: Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) dunks
49. LeBron James (Jan. 26) - 26 points, 10 rebounds, 11 assists vs. Pacers  Ken Blaze, USA TODAY Sports
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48. Kevin Durant (Jan. 25) - 28 Points, 11 assists,
48. Kevin Durant (Jan. 25) - 28 Points, 11 assists, 10 rebounds vs. Timberwolves  John G. Mabanglo, EPA-EFE
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Jan. 24, 2018: 76ers guard Ben Simmons (25) slam dunks
47. Ben Simmons (Jan. 24) - 19 points, 17 rebounds, 14 assists vs. Bulls.  Eric Hartline, USA TODAY Sports
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46. Blake Griffin (Jan. 22) - 32 points, 12 rebounds,
46. Blake Griffin (Jan. 22) - 32 points, 12 rebounds, 12 assists vs. Timberwolves  Gary A. Vasquez, USA TODAY Sports
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Jan 22, 2018; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans
45. DeMarcus Cousins (Jan. 22) - 44 points, 24 rebounds, 10 assists vs. Bulls  Derick E. Hingle, USA TODAY Sports
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44. Khris Middleton (Jan. 20) - 23 points, 14 rebounds,
44. Khris Middleton (Jan. 20) - 23 points, 14 rebounds, 10 assists vs. 76ers  Bill Streicher, USA TODAY Sports
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43. Jarrett Jack (Jan. 10) - 16 points, 10 assists,
43. Jarrett Jack (Jan. 10) - 16 points, 10 assists, 10 rebounds vs. Bulls  Brad Penner, USA TODAY Sports
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42. Nikola Jokic (Jan. 8) - 22 points, 12 rebounds,
42. Nikola Jokic (Jan. 8) - 22 points, 12 rebounds, 11 assists vs. Warriors  Kyle Terada, USA TODAY Sports
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41. Russell Westbrook (Jan. 7) - 26 points, 10 rebounds,
41. Russell Westbrook (Jan. 7) - 26 points, 10 rebounds, 11 assists vs. Suns  Joe Camporeale, USA TODAY Sports
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40. Russell Westbrook (Jan. 4) - 29 points, 12 rebounds,
40. Russell Westbrook (Jan. 4) - 29 points, 12 rebounds, 11 assists vs. Clippers  Kirby Lee, USA TODAY Sports
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39. Draymond Green (Jan. 4) - 17 points, 14 rebounds,
39. Draymond Green (Jan. 4) - 17 points, 14 rebounds, 10 assists vs. Rockets  Troy Taormina, USA TODAY Sports
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38. Russell Westbrook (Dec. 31) - 38 points, 15 rebounds,
38. Russell Westbrook (Dec. 31) - 38 points, 15 rebounds, 11 assists vs. Mavericks  Mark D. Smith, USA TODAY Sports
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37. Dennis Smith Jr. (Dec. 29) - 21 points, 10 rebounds,
37. Dennis Smith Jr. (Dec. 29) - 21 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists vs. Pelicans  Derick E. Hingle, USA TODAY Sports
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Dec 27, 2017; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings
36. LeBron James (Dec. 27) - 16 points, 14 assists, 10 rebounds vs. Kings  Sergio Estrada, USA TODAY Sports
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Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) celebrates
35. Draymond Green (Dec. 25) - 12 points, 12 rebounds, 11 assists vs Cavaliers  Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
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33. Russell Westbrook, Thunder (Dec. 23) - 27 points,
34. Russell Westbrook (Dec. 23) - 27 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists vs. Jazz  Chris Nicoll, USA TODAY Sports
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Dec 23, 2017; Sacramento, CA, USA; San Antonio Spurs
33. Pau Gasol (Dec. 23) - 14 points, 11 rebounds, 10 assists vs. Kings  Sergio Estrada, USA TODAY Sports
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32. Chris Paul, Rockets (Dec. 18) - 18 points, 10 rebounds,
32. Chris Paul (Dec. 18) - 18 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists vs. Jazz  Troy Taormina, USA TODAY Sports
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31. Ben Simmons, 76ers (Dec. 18) - 19 points, 11 rebounds,
31. Ben Simmons (Dec. 18) - 19 points, 11 rebounds, 10 assists vs. Bulls  Kamil Krzaczynski, USA TODAY Sports
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30. LeBron James, Cavaliers (Dec. 17) - 20 points,
30. LeBron James (Dec. 17) - 20 points, 12 rebounds, 15 assists vs. Wizards  Brad Mills, USA TODAY Sports
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28. LeBron James, Cavaliers (Dec. 16) - 29 points,
29. LeBron James (Dec. 16) - 29 points, 11 rebounds, 10 assists vs. Jazz  Ken Blaze, USA TODAY Sports
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Dec 15, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Oklahoma City
28. Russell Westbrook (Dec. 15) - 27 points, 18 rebounds, 15 assists vs. 76ers  Bill Streicher, USA TODAY Sports
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Dec 15, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Brooklyn Nets
27. Kyle Lowry (Dec. 15) - 10 points, 10 rebounds, 12 assists vs. Nets  John E. Sokolowski, USA TODAY Sports
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Dec 14: Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) dunks in
26. LeBron James (Dec. 14) - 25 points, 12 rebounds, 12 assists vs. Lakers  David Richard, USA TODAY Sports
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24. Russell Westbrook, Thunder (Dec. 13) - 10 points,
25. Russell Westbrook (Dec. 13) - 10 points, 17 rebounds, 12 assists vs. Pacers  Brian Spurlock, USA TODAY Sports
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Rajon Rondo, Pelicans (Dec. 11) - 13 points, 12 rebounds,
24. Rajon Rondo (Dec. 11) - 13 points, 12 rebounds, 12 assists vs. Rockets  Shanna Lockwood, USA TODAY Sports
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Dec. 9: Cavaliers forward LeBron James drives to the
23. LeBron James (Dec. 9) - 30 points, 13 assists, 13 rebounds vs. 76ers  Ken Blaze, USA TODAY Sports
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22. Russell Westbrook, Thunder (Dec. 9) - 20 points,
22. Russell Westbrook (Dec. 9) - 20 points, 11 rebounds, 14 assists vs. Grizzlies  Nelson Chenault, USA TODAY Sports
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23. Nikola Vucevic, Magic (Dec. 9) - 31 points, 13
21. Nikola Vucevic (Dec. 9) - 31 points, 13 rebounds, 10 assists  Erik S. Lesser, EPA-EFE
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20. Ben Simmons, 76ers (Dec. 7) - 12 points, 15 assists,
20. Ben Simmons (Dec. 7) - 12 points, 15 assists, 13 rebounds vs. Lakers  Bill Streicher, USA TODAY Sports
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19. Kevin Durant
19. Kevin Durant (Dec. 6) - 35 points, 11 rebounds, 10 assists vs. Hornets  Sam Sharpe, USA TODAY Sports
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19. Russell Westbrook, Thunder (Dec. 5) - 34 points,
18. Russell Westbrook (Dec. 5) - 34 points, 14 assists, 13 rebounds vs. Jazz  Mark D. Smith, USA TODAY Sports
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Nov. 24: Cavaliers forward LeBron James celebrates
17. LeBron James (Nov. 24) - 27 points, 16 rebounds, 13 assists vs. Hornets  Ken Blaze, USA TODAY Sports
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16. Russell Westbrook, Thunder (Nov. 24) - 27 points,
16. Russell Westbrook (Nov. 24) - 27 points, 11 assists, 11 rebounds vs. Pistons  Mark D. Smith, USA TODAY Sports
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LA Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) shoots over
15. Blake Griffin (Nov. 22) - 26 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists vs. Hawks  Dale Zanine, USA TODAY Sports
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Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) drives
14. Russell Westbrook (Nov. 20) - 22 points, 12 assists, 16 rebounds vs. Pelicans  Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
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13. Lonzo Ball
13. Lonzo Ball (Nov. 19) — 11 points, 11 assists, 16 rebounds vs. Nuggets  Jayne Kamin-Oncea, USA TODAY Sports
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12. Lonzo Ball, Lakers
12. Lonzo Ball (Nov. 11) — 19 points, 13 assists, 12 rebounds vs. Bucks  Benny Sieu, USA TODAY Sports
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10. James Harden
11. James Harden (Nov. 9) — 35 points, 13 assists, 11 rebounds vs. Cavaliers  Troy Taormina, USA TODAY Sports
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9. Ben Simmons (Nov. 3) — 14 points, 11 assists, 11
10. Ben Simmons (Nov. 3) — 14 points, 11 assists, 11 rebounds vs. Pacers  Bill Streicher, USA TODAY Sports
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Russell Westbrook
9. Russell Westbrook (Oct. 31) — 12 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists vs. Bucks  Benny Sieu, USA TODAY Sports
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8. Russell Westbrook, Thunder (Oct. 28) —12 points,
8. Russell Westbrook (Oct. 28) — 12 points, 13 rebounds, 13 assists vs. Bulls  Mike Dinovo, USA TODAY Sports
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7. DeMarcus Cousins, Pelicans (Oct. 28) — 29 points,
7. DeMarcus Cousins (Oct. 28) — 29 points, 12 rebounds, 10 assists vs. Cavaliers  Gerald Herbert, AP
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Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) drives the
6. James Harden (Oct. 27) — 27 points, 11 assists, 10 rebounds vs. Hornets  Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
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6. Kyle Lowry, Raptors (Oct. 27) — 11 points, 12 assists,
5. Kyle Lowry (Oct. 27) — 11 points, 12 assists, 10 rebounds vs. Lakers  Gary A. Vasquez, USA TODAY Sports
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3. LeBron James, Cavaliers (Oct. 25) — 29 points, 13
4. LeBron James (Oct. 25) — 29 points, 13 assists, 10 rebounds vs. Nets  Brad Penner, USA TODAY Sports
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4. Russell Westbrook, Thunder (Oct. 25) — 28 points,
3. Russell Westbrook (Oct. 25) — 28 points, 16 assists, 10 rebounds vs. Pacers  Mark D. Smith, USA TODAY Sports
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2. Ben Simmons, 76ers (Oct. 23) — 21 points, 12 rebounds,
2. Ben Simmons (Oct. 23) — 21 points, 12 rebounds, 10 assists vs. Pistons  Rick Osentoski, USA TODAY Sports
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1. Russell Westbrook, Thunder (Oct. 19) — 21 points,
1. Russell Westbrook (Oct. 19) — 21 points, 16 assists, 10 rebounds vs. Knicks  Mark D. Smith, USA TODAY Sports
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