New Orleans Pelicans vs. Houston Rockets: Live Score, Highlights and Reaction

The Houston Rockets slogged through a terrible shooting performance against the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday night to pull out a 100-95 win.

Houston missed its first 15 three-pointers and ended a pitiful 3-of-34 from downtown, but performed well in most other areas to get the victory. The Rockets won the rebounding battle, 51-43, made 16 more free throws than the Pelicans and forced 22 New Orleans turnovers. They also ended the game on a 13-2 run, as New Orleans took some ill-advised shots and turned it over while Houston kept its calm.

James Harden was the game's brightest star, filling the stat sheet with 39 points, 12 rebounds, seven assists and eight turnovers to boot. His playmaking abilities were just what his team needed on a poor shooting night, while his defense was actually pretty good.

Norris Cole and Dante Cunningham led the offensive attack for New Orleans with 37 points between the two of them. Anthony Davis only had 12, and he got most of those in the fourth quarter.

The Rockets, now 30-31, visit the Chicago Bulls on Saturday night. The 23-36 Pelicans, meanwhile, took a huge blow to their playoff hopes Wednesday and must play the San Antonio Spurs at home Thursday night.