Overview
- Kevin Durant hit the go-ahead 18-footer with 7.6 seconds left, then sank two free throws after an errant New Orleans inbounds pass to close out the win.
- The decisive sequence followed Dejounte Murray stepping out of bounds with 13 seconds remaining as the Pelicans led by one.
- Durant finished with 32 points on 13-of-24 shooting with six rebounds and five assists, rebounding from a season-low outing two nights earlier in Denver.
- Amen Thompson posted 23 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists, Reed Sheppard added 18 points with five 3-pointers, and Jabari Smith Jr. buried a pivotal corner three with 21.7 seconds left.
- Murray paced New Orleans with 35 points on 14-of-18 shooting while Zion Williamson scored 21, as Houston opened a five-game homestand and next hosts the Lakers on Monday and Wednesday.