Rockets Make NBA-Record 24 3-pointers, Beat Pelicans 122-100
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HOUSTON (AP) — James Harden had his sixth triple-double of the season and the Houston Rockets made an NBA-record 24 3-pointers in a 122-100 win over the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday night.
Harden had 29 points, 13 assists and 11 rebounds for his 15th career triple-double, passing Hakeem Olajuwon for the most in franchise history.
Ryan Anderson made Houston's 24th 3-pointer of the game with 32 seconds remaining, and the Toyota Center crowd erupted in celebration of the record.
In picking up their ninth straight win, the Rockets attempting 61 3s — making 39.3 percent — to shatter their own record of 50 set earlier this year. They broke the NBA record for 3s made in a game, shared by Houston in 2013 and Orlando in 2009.
Eric Gordon scored 29 points on 7-for-12 from 3 for the Rockets. Trevor Ariza added 20 points and Patrick Beverley had 13 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists.
Anthony Davis scored 19 points in 22 minutes for New Orleans and rested much of the second half after Houston built a lead as big as 24 points.
Houston attempted 31 3-pointers in the first half, an NBA record for a half. The Rockets made 14 3s in the first half, entering halftime with a 45.2-percent clip. Houston entered the game attempting 37.6 3s per game, tops in the league, and making 38.4 percent.
Pelicans point guard Tim Frazier played through a right wrist sprain in his hometown, several miles from his alma mater of Strake Jesuit.
There was plenty of familiarity between the two teams. Three Rockets players — Gordon, Ariza and Anderson — played previously for New Orleans, while the Pelicans' Terrence Jones and Omer Asik are former Rockets. Additionally, Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry served as an assistant for Rockets coach Mike D'Antoni in Phoenix.
TIP-INS
Pelicans: After playing 11 minutes in his first game of the season on Thursday night against Indiana, Tyreke Evans (knee) was given the night off for rest. ... SF Solomon Hill did not travel with the team to Houston as he stayed in New Orleans with his girlfriend in anticipation of the couple's first child.
Rockets: C Clint Capela fouled out of the game early in the fourth quarter. He had eight points and 11 rebounds in 22 minutes. ... Harden made 6 of 12 3-pointers, while Ariza made 5 of 14. ... Three Rockets players had double-digit rebounds and Houston outrebounded New Orleans 57-47.
UP NEXT
Pelicans: Att San Antonio on Sunday night.
Rockets: At Minnesota on Saturday night.
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