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Keys to the Game

3. Missed Opportunities

The Houston Rockets failed to score a single point for 5:54 during the fourth quarter. That stretch came with 9:52 remaining to the 3:58.

Unfortunately, the New Orleans Hornets did nothing to capitalize on the opportunity.

The Hornets were trailing by 16 points when their defense turned it up. Unfortunately, N.O. managed to cut the deficit to 10 points and never any closer.

The Hornets should have capitalized on this opportunity to secure a W. Plain and simple, the missed this chance at victory.

2. The Three-Ball

If you want to know why this was an 18-point victory for the Houston Rockets, look no further than the three-point shot. The Rockets made 11 field goals from beyond the arc, while the New Orleans Hornets hit three.

That's a 24-point differential during an 18-point margin of victory.

This has to come by a surprise to the Hornets, as Ryan Anderson missed all five of his three-point field goal attempts. Brian Roberts went 0-for-4 from distance, while Austin Rivers and Greivis Vasquez both went 0-for-2.

Shooting 3-of-20 from beyond the arc is a great way to lose to anyone, specifically a high-powered offense such as the Rockets.

1. Houston Balance

James Harden finished with 30 points and eight assists. Jeremy Lin tallied 13 points, eight assists, five rebounds and six steals.

Patrick Patterson tacked on 18 points and 13 rebounds, while Carlos Delfino scored 14 points. In other words, Houston won this game by virtue of their balance.

A refreshing sight for a team that had begun to rely far too heavily on Harden's contributions.

Delfino has proven to be the team's fourth quarter closer, coming in for clutch three-point shots with every passing game. The truly encouraging sign, however, was that Lin and Harden finally worked together in the proper manner.

That and Patterson completing just his second double-double of the season.

If the Rockets continue to play in such a well-rounded manner, they will be a force to be reckoned with. If they fall back into their usual Harden-oriented ways, however, success will be tough to come by.

Tonight, Kevin McHale's crew was successful in the former.

via NBA.com

New Orleans Hornets box score via NBA.com.

via NBA.com.

Houston Rockets box score via NBA.com.

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The New Orleans Hornets made an admirable push during the fourth quarter, but it wasn't enough. James Harden and Carlos Delfino continue to step up during late game situation sand provide the Houston Rockets with the necessary push.

A huge win by Houston to push them back over .500.

New Orleans is getting to the line but Carlos Delfino is torching them from beyond the arc. Three points are always better than two and N.O. is suffering from it.

A great bounce back performance from Houston.

We finally break the dry spell and it's more of the same—New Orleans is scoring but Houston is countering.

Al-Farouq Aminu is heating up, again, while Carlos Delfino and James Harden have taken charge for the Rockets. A victory appears to be slipping away for N.O.

We've gone scoreless for three minutes.

The New Orleans Hornets are finally putting together some quality possessions on offense. Unfortunately, they haven't been able to slow Houston down just yet.

Time is running out.

Houston Rockets 85, New Orleans Hornets 71 — 9:10 remaining in the Fourth Quarter

In fact, 6 steals is his CAREER high. So JLin is 1 off of that with a quarter to go. #RedNation

— Howard Chen (@ho_chenCSN) January 26, 2013

A big night from Jeremy Lin.

The New Orleans Hornets were in dire need of a late quarter push and they got it. Austin Rivers anchored the comeback and the Hornets are now a much more manageable 15 points behind.

N.O. is still in an uphill battle, though.

Houston Rockets 80, New Orleans Hornets 65 — End of the Third Quarter

James Harden continues to destroy this New Orleans Hornets defense. The Hornets, meanwhile, have no counter whatsoever.

Houston Rockets 76, New Orleans Hornets 59 — 2:11 remaining in the Third Quarter

It's getting out of hand in New Orleans, as the Houston Rockets are going on a three-point frenzy. Any and everyone is hot and the Hornets simply have no answer.

The Hornets need to respond now or this will be a devastating loss.

Houston Rockets 74, New Orleans Hornets 57 — 3:18 remaining in the Third Quarter

James Harden continues to tear this New Orleans defense apart and is now up to 23 points.

Harden also has five assists.

Houston Rockets 66, New Orleans Hornets 51 — 5:37 remaining in the Third Quarter

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Al-Farouq Aminu is getting hot, but Patrick Patterson just scored six very quick points. Houston is now up by double-digits.

James Harden adds five quick ones.

Houston Rockets 60, New Orleans Hornets 46 — 7:35 remaining in the Third Quarter

Al-Farouq Aminu has just three rebounds today. He's averaging 9.8 per game in January.

Al-Farouq Aminu gets the New Orleans Hornets on the board first here in the second half. Next possession, New Orleans has a shot clock penalty.

Houston Rockets 48, New Orleans Hornets 42 — 10:32 remaining in the Third Quarter

James Harden has 13 points on just four field goal attempts. That's the story of one of the league's best at getting to the free throw line.

Eric Gordon has taken the traditional route, as he scored 16 points on 6-of-10 shooting from the floor. The battle of future stars is living up to the billing.

What will we see in the second half?

Houston Rockets 48, New Orleans Hornets 40 — Halftime

Not even four minutes into the game and Hornets have already forced three Houston Rockets' turnovers s.nola.com/o6TWtuM

— John Reid (@JohnReidTP) January 26, 2013

Same old story for Houston.

Eric Gordon with a beautiful jump shot as he hits nothing but net from just within the three-point line.

Houston Rockets 5, New Orleans Hornets 8 — 9:12 remaining in the First Quarter

Eric Gordon tops James Harden as the first to get on the scoreboard.

Houston Rockets 3, New Orleans Hornets 6 — 9:56 remaining in the First Quarter

Scott Halleran/Getty Images

Robin Lopez with two free throws. He's shooting a career-best 79.5 percent from the charity stripe in 2012-13.

Rookie Anthony Davis gets a mid-range J to fall from the free throw line for tonight's first points.

Jeremy Lin responds with a three.

Houston Rockets 3, New Orleans Hornets 2 — 10:53 remaining in the First Quarter

Starting Lineups:

Houston Rockets

PG: Jeremy Lin
SG: James Harden
SF: Chandler Parsons
PF: Patrick Patterson
C: Omer Asik

New Orleans Hornets

PG: Greivis Vasquez
SG: Eric Gordon
SF: Al-Farouq Aminu
PF: Anthony Davis
C: Robin Lopez

Chris Graythen/Getty Images

Since losing to the New Orleans Hornets on January 9, the Houston Rockets have gone from 21-14 to 22-22. That's eight losses in nine games.

Since New Orleans lost to Houston on January 2, the Hornets have won seven of 10.

Which trend will end tonight in the N.O.?