Rockets spoil Cousins’ Pelicans debut

DeMarcus Cousins #0 of the New Orleans Pelicans reacts during the second half of a game against the Houston Rockets at the Smoothie King Center on February 23, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana.  Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images/AFP

The Houston Rockets shot down new-look New Orleans 129-99 on Thursday, spoiling the Pelicans debut of DeMarcus Cousins with the help of a new arrival of their own.

Big man Cousins, acquired on Monday from the Sacramento Kings in a blockbuster trade involving five players and two draft picks, teamed well with Pelicans star Anthony Davis, the two combining for 56 points and 23 rebounds.

But the Rockets forced 20 turnovers and their own new signing, guard Lou Williams, scored a game-high 27 points in the triumph.

Williams, a 12-year veteran who came to the Rockets from the Los Angeles Lakers in a trade during the All-Star break made his 25 minutes off the bench count.

He hit his first two three-pointers and finished seven of 11 from long range.

Prior to the contest, Rockets coach Mike D’Antoni said he expected Williams to “get his feet wet” in his first game with his new teammates — and he was pleased with the splash the newcomer made.

“He’s a ball player, so I knew that he’d be OK,” D’Antoni said. “I didn’t obviously know he was going to get 27. He just scores very easily. He’ll have a lot of room to operate.”

The Rockets, who set the NBA record for three-pointers in a game (24) in a 122-100 victory over the Pelicans in December, made 20 of 51 from beyond the arc.

Three other Rockets, who at one time played in New Orleans, had at least three three-pointers apiece. Eric Gordon made four, and Ryan Anderson and Trevor Ariza had three each.

Williams was one of six Houston players to score in double figures. Gordon added 19, Anderson 17, Clint Capella 13, James Harden 13 and Montrezl Harrell 10.

“That was a pretty decent introduction, I would say,” Williams said. “It was huge considering I hadn’t worked out. It’s easy to play with these guys and their very open style. Everybody eats, everybody’s happy.”

Meanwhile the Pelicans have some kings to work out in an offense moving away from a small, quick lineup to the “Twin Towers” of Davis and Cousins.

Davis led the Pelicans with 29 points and Cousins scored 27 points and grabbed 14.

But the Pelicans struggled to find an offensive rhythm.

“It was good to get the first one under the belt and out of the way,” Cousins said. “Most of the turnovers were because guys were trying to make the right play, and it’s obvious we’re not used to one another.

“We see the potential,” Cousins said. “We see what we need to work on. It’s going to be a process.”