http://www.chron.com/sports/rockets/article/Rockets-comeback-attempt-falls-short-against-12529677.php
Rockets' comeback attempt falls short against Pelicans
Updated 12:48 am, Saturday, January 27, 2018
New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) dunks over Houston Rockets guard Eric Gordon (10) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Friday, Jan. 26, 2018. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) dunks over Houston Rockets guard Eric Gordon (10) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Friday, Jan. 26, 2018. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) battles under the basket between Houston Rockets forward Luc Mbah a Moute (12) and guard James Harden in the second half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Friday, Jan. 26, 2018. The Pelicans won 115-113. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
lessNew Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) battles under the basket between Houston Rockets forward Luc Mbah a Moute (12) and guard James Harden in the second half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans,
... moreNew Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) slam dunks over Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) and guard Chris Paul (3) in the second half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Friday, Jan. 26, 2018. The Pelicans won 115-113. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
lessNew Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) slam dunks over Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) and guard Chris Paul (3) in the second half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Friday, Jan. 26,
... moreHouston Rockets guard Chris Paul (3) goes to the basket against New Orleans Pelicans guard Jameer Nelson (14) in the second half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Friday, Jan. 26, 2018. The Pelicans won 115-113. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
lessHouston Rockets guard Chris Paul (3) goes to the basket against New Orleans Pelicans guard Jameer Nelson (14) in the second half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Friday, Jan. 26, 2018. The Pelicans won
... moreNew Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) battles under the basket between Houston Rockets forward Luc Mbah a Moute (12) and guard James Harden in the second half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Friday, Jan. 26, 2018. The Pelicans won 115-113. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
lessNew Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) battles under the basket between Houston Rockets forward Luc Mbah a Moute (12) and guard James Harden in the second half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans,
... moreNew Orleans Pelicans center DeMarcus Cousins (0) loses the ball as he commits an offensive foul against Houston Rockets center Clint Capela (15) while driving to the basket during the second half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Friday, Jan. 26, 2018. The Pelicans won 115-113. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
lessNew Orleans Pelicans center DeMarcus Cousins (0) loses the ball as he commits an offensive foul against Houston Rockets center Clint Capela (15) while driving to the basket during the second half of an NBA
... moreNew Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis hugs his former teammate, Houston Rockets guard Eric Gordon (10), at the end of regulation of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Friday, Jan. 26, 2018. The Pelicans won 115-113. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
lessNew Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis hugs his former teammate, Houston Rockets guard Eric Gordon (10), at the end of regulation of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Friday, Jan. 26, 2018. The
... moreHouston Rockets center Clint Capela (15) goes to the basket over New Orleans Pelicans center DeMarcus Cousins (0) in the second half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Friday, Jan. 26, 2018. The Pelicans won 115-113. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
lessHouston Rockets center Clint Capela (15) goes to the basket over New Orleans Pelicans center DeMarcus Cousins (0) in the second half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Friday, Jan. 26, 2018. The Pelicans
... moreNew Orleans Pelicans center DeMarcus Cousins (0) loses the ball as he commits an offensive foul against Houston Rockets center Clint Capela (15) while driving to the basket in the second half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Friday, Jan. 26, 2018. The Pelicans won 115-113. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
lessNew Orleans Pelicans center DeMarcus Cousins (0) loses the ball as he commits an offensive foul against Houston Rockets center Clint Capela (15) while driving to the basket in the second half of an NBA
... moreNew Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) restrains DeMarcus Cousins as he goes after Houston Rockets guard James Harden, not seen, during the second half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Friday, Jan. 26, 2018. The Pelicans won 115-113. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
lessNew Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) restrains DeMarcus Cousins as he goes after Houston Rockets guard James Harden, not seen, during the second half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Friday,
... moreNew Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) dunks over Houston Rockets guardd James Harden (13) and Chris Paul (3) during the second half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Friday, Jan. 26, 2018. The Pelicans won 115-113. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
lessNew Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) dunks over Houston Rockets guardd James Harden (13) and Chris Paul (3) during the second half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Friday, Jan. 26, 2018. The
... moreHouston Rockets guard Chris Paul (3) =gtb ahead of New Orleans Pelicans guard Jameer Nelson (14) and center DeMarcus Cousins (0) in the second half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Friday, Jan. 26, 2018. The Pelicans won 115-113. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
lessHouston Rockets guard Chris Paul (3) =gtb ahead of New Orleans Pelicans guard Jameer Nelson (14) and center DeMarcus Cousins (0) in the second half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Friday, Jan. 26,
... moreNew Orleans Pelicans center DeMarcus Cousins lies on the court while being tended to after injuring his left Achilles tendon, according to the team, during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Houston Rockets in New Orleans, Friday, Jan. 26, 2018. The Pelicans won 115-113. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
lessNew Orleans Pelicans center DeMarcus Cousins lies on the court while being tended to after injuring his left Achilles tendon, according to the team, during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the
... moreNew Orleans Pelicans center DeMarcus Cousins (0) is helped off the court after injuring his left achilles tendon, according to the team, in the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Houston Rockets in New Orleans, Friday, Jan. 26, 2018. The Pelicans won 115-113. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
lessNew Orleans Pelicans center DeMarcus Cousins (0) is helped off the court after injuring his left achilles tendon, according to the team, in the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Houston Rockets
... moreNew Orleans Pelicans center DeMarcus Cousins lies on the court while being tended to after injuring his left achilles tendon, according to the team, in the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Houston Rockets in New Orleans, Friday, Jan. 26, 2018. The Pelicans won 115-113. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
lessNew Orleans Pelicans center DeMarcus Cousins lies on the court while being tended to after injuring his left achilles tendon, according to the team, in the second half of an NBA basketball game against the
... moreHouston Rockets coach Mike D'Antoni questions a call during the second half of the team's NBA basketball game against the New Orleans Pelicans in New Orleans, Friday, Jan. 26, 2018. The Pelicans won 115-113. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
lessHouston Rockets coach Mike D'Antoni questions a call during the second half of the team's NBA basketball game against the New Orleans Pelicans in New Orleans, Friday, Jan. 26, 2018. The Pelicans won 115-113.
... moreHouston Rockets guard Chris Paul (3) goes to the basket ahead of New Orleans Pelicans guard Jameer Nelson (14) and center DeMarcus Cousins (0) during the second half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Friday, Jan. 26, 2018. The Pelicans won 115-113. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
lessHouston Rockets guard Chris Paul (3) goes to the basket ahead of New Orleans Pelicans guard Jameer Nelson (14) and center DeMarcus Cousins (0) during the second half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans,
... moreHouston Rockets head coach Mike D'Antoni challenges a call in the second half of an NBA basketball game against the New Orleans Pelicans in New Orleans, Friday, Jan. 26, 2018. The Pelicans won 115-113. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
lessHouston Rockets head coach Mike D'Antoni challenges a call in the second half of an NBA basketball game against the New Orleans Pelicans in New Orleans, Friday, Jan. 26, 2018. The Pelicans won 115-113. (AP
... moreNew Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) restrains DeMarcus Cousins as he goes after Houston Rockets guard James Harden, not pictured, in the second half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Friday, Jan. 26, 2018. The Pelicans won 115-113. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
lessNew Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) restrains DeMarcus Cousins as he goes after Houston Rockets guard James Harden, not pictured, in the second half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Friday,
... moreNew Orleans Pelicans center DeMarcus Cousins lies on the court while being tended to after injuring his left Achilles tendon, according to the team, during the second half of the team's NBA basketball game against the Houston Rockets in New Orleans, Friday, Jan. 26, 2018. The Pelicans won 115-113. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
lessNew Orleans Pelicans center DeMarcus Cousins lies on the court while being tended to after injuring his left Achilles tendon, according to the team, during the second half of the team's NBA basketball game
... moreNew Orleans Pelicans center DeMarcus Cousins (0) is helped off the court after injuring his left Achilles tendon, according to the team, during the second half of the team's NBA basketball game against the Houston Rockets in New Orleans, Friday, Jan. 26, 2018. The Pelicans won 115-113. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
lessNew Orleans Pelicans center DeMarcus Cousins (0) is helped off the court after injuring his left Achilles tendon, according to the team, during the second half of the team's NBA basketball game against the
... moreNew Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) slam dunks over Houston Rockets guard Eric Gordon (10) in the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Friday, Jan. 26, 2018. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
lessNew Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) slam dunks over Houston Rockets guard Eric Gordon (10) in the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Friday, Jan. 26, 2018. (AP Photo/Gerald
... moreNew Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) blocks a shot by Houston Rockets forward Ryan Anderson (33) in the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Friday, Jan. 26, 2018. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
lessNew Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) blocks a shot by Houston Rockets forward Ryan Anderson (33) in the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Friday, Jan. 26, 2018. (AP Photo/Gerald
... moreHouston Rockets guard James Harden (13) is blocked as he drives to the basket against New Orleans Pelicans forward Dante Cunningham (33) in the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Friday, Jan. 26, 2018. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
lessHouston Rockets guard James Harden (13) is blocked as he drives to the basket against New Orleans Pelicans forward Dante Cunningham (33) in the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Friday, Jan.
... moreHouston Rockets guard James Harden (13) goes to the basket between New Orleans Pelicans center DeMarcus Cousins (0) and forward Anthony Davis (23) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Friday, Jan. 26, 2018. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
lessHouston Rockets guard James Harden (13) goes to the basket between New Orleans Pelicans center DeMarcus Cousins (0) and forward Anthony Davis (23) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans,
... moreNew Orleans Pelicans center DeMarcus Cousins (0) goes to the basket against Houston Rockets center Clint Capela (15) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Friday, Jan. 26, 2018. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
lessNew Orleans Pelicans center DeMarcus Cousins (0) goes to the basket against Houston Rockets center Clint Capela (15) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Friday, Jan. 26, 2018. (AP
... moreNew Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) goes to the basket against Houston Rockets center Clint Capela (15) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Friday, Jan. 26, 2018. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
lessNew Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) goes to the basket against Houston Rockets center Clint Capela (15) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Friday, Jan. 26, 2018. (AP
... moreNew Orleans 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)
lessNew Orleans 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
... moreHouston Rockets guard Eric Gordon (10) drives to the basket against New Orleans Pelicans forward Darius Miller during the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Friday, Jan. 26, 2018. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
lessHouston Rockets guard Eric Gordon (10) drives to the basket against New Orleans Pelicans forward Darius Miller during the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Friday, Jan. 26, 2018. (AP
... moreHouston Rockets guard Eric Gordon (10) drives to the basket against New Orleans Pelicans forward Darius Miller in the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Friday, Jan. 26, 2018. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
lessHouston Rockets guard Eric Gordon (10) drives to the basket against New Orleans Pelicans forward Darius Miller in the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Friday, Jan. 26, 2018. (AP Photo/Gerald
... moreNew Orleans Pelicans guard Ian Clark (23) goes to the basket against Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Friday, Jan. 26, 2018. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
lessNew Orleans Pelicans guard Ian Clark (23) goes to the basket against Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Friday, Jan. 26, 2018. (AP
... moreHouston Rockets guard James Harden (13) is blocked as he drives to the basket against New Orleans Pelicans forward Dante Cunningham (33) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Friday, Jan. 26, 2018. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
lessHouston Rockets guard James Harden (13) is blocked as he drives to the basket against New Orleans Pelicans forward Dante Cunningham (33) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Friday,
... moreNew Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) blocks a shot by Houston Rockets forward Ryan Anderson (33) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Friday, Jan. 26, 2018. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
lessNew Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) blocks a shot by Houston Rockets forward Ryan Anderson (33) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Friday, Jan. 26, 2018. (AP
... moreNew Orleans Pelicans guard Ian Clark (2)3 goes to the basket against Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) in the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Friday, Jan. 26, 2018. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
lessNew Orleans Pelicans guard Ian Clark (2)3 goes to the basket against Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) in the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Friday, Jan. 26, 2018. (AP Photo/Gerald
... moreNEW ORLEANS – James Harden never wanted a foul to be considered in the act of shooting more.
The Rockets had spent the season vexed by the rule change that eliminated continuation calls, no one as much as Harden. But with the Rockets down three in the final seconds and the Pelicans choosing to foul Harden before he could take a 3 to tie, Harden tried one more time to gather and shoot as he was grabbed.
He did not pull it off. He was awarded just two free throws and intentionally missed his second attempt, missing the rim entirely, as the Pelicans held on, 115-113, wasting a Rockets comeback with one last push and a final defensive stand.
The Pelicans had controlled the game most of the way with Anthony Davis scoring 27 points with 11 rebounds and DeMarcus Cousins scoring 15 points with 13 rebounds and 11 assists before he was helped off the floor in the final 12 seconds with an injury that seems certain to end his season.
"It's his Achilles," Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry said. "He'll get an MRI. We'll know the severity of it tomorrow. Just know that it's his Achilles.
"We're scared about it. All of our guys feel terrible about it."
When the Rockets found their 3-point touch, led by Chris Paul and Eric Gordon, they rallied.
The Rockets had come all the way back from down 21. With 3-pointers from Trevor Ariza and Paul, and a pass from Harden to set up Luc Mbah a Moute for a dunk, they tied the game with 2 ½ minutes left. But they still had to deal with the Pelicans' two-headed monster inside.
After Davis put in a pair of free throws, Cousins ripped the ball away from Mbah a Moute and set up Darius Miller for a corner 3.
Paul sank a pull-up jumper before Ariza knocked down another 3, to tie the game again. But then, the Rockets were out of stops.
After Jrue Holiday drove to a lefthanded floater in the lane, Harden missed from 20 feet with 43 seconds left. This time, the Rockets were out of stops. They did coax a miss out of E'Twaun Moore in the corner, but Cousins put in the rebound for a four-point lead with 15 seconds left.
Davis fouled Paul shooting a 3-pointer, and Paul put in all three free throws with eight seconds remaining to cut the lead to one. But after Miller was fouled, the Pelicans led by three with 4.1 seconds left, giving the Rockets a last chance to shoot for overtime.
Harden, however, could not get into his shooting motion in time.
The Rockets' hope to counter the Pelicans' muscle with 3-point shooting did not work out for most of the night while only Paul and Gordon could make their shots.
Trailing by 21 with less than six minutes remaining in the third quarter, the Rockets were not quite ready to pull the plug, but one more Pelicans run might have been enough for the Rockets to call it a night.
With that, the Rockets made the first sustained run of the night, getting stops when Davis cooled off for a few minutes and even putting in a few 3s.
The Rockets pieced together a 17-4 run late in the third quarter, with Paul scoring 10 points in the final 2:15 before the fourth quarter.
The Rockets were still struggling to find anyone else to knock down their usual shots. With the Pelicans up 10, Mbah a Moute ended and began the fourth quarter missing open 3s. But even when Gordon found his touch, hitting three straight from deep, each time he could only bring the Rockets back to seven.
Finally, the Rockets broke through that barrier, with Paul taking a steal to a layup and a three-point play, bringing them within four with eight minutes left. That gave him 30 points in 30 minutes, but in the next 31 seconds, he picked up his fourth and fifth fouls, forcing him to the bench.
Other than Gordon, the Rockets had not found a reliable scorer all night. But as Harden returned, the Rockets were in position to steal a win in a game that seemed on the brink of hopeless.
Other than a brief burst, they were still looking for their usual 3-point shooting touch. When they found it, they sent the game to the final 2 ½ minutes tied. After spending so much of the night unable to make shots or get stops, the Rockets had a last chance. The Pelicans, however, had answers, up to the point they fouled just in time.
