NEW ORLEANS (Interstat) — The Houston Rockets turned a close game into a decisive rout with a dominant second quarter, cruising to a 134-102 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on Sunday at Smoothie King Center.

The game was tied at 29 after a competitive first quarter, but the Rockets seized control with a 39-point explosion in the second period while holding the Pelicans to just 18 points. That 21-point swing established a commanding 68-47 halftime lead from which New Orleans never recovered.

Houston center Alperen Sengun was the catalyst, orchestrating the offense and punishing the Pelicans inside and out. He finished with 36 points, 14 rebounds and seven assists, dominating his matchup and setting the tone for Houston’s efficient attack. The Rockets shot 46.7% from the field and 40.9% from three-point range, while their defense forced 10 turnovers and limited New Orleans to 43% shooting.

The Pelicans, led by Dejounte Murray’s 19 points and six assists, could not sustain any momentum. Zion Williamson added 18 points but was held in check for long stretches as New Orleans struggled to generate consistent offense outside of the first and third quarters.

The Rockets’ second-quarter run was comprehensive. After the initial tie, Houston unleashed a 32-4 surge that spanned from the end of the first quarter deep into the second. Sengun was at the heart of it, hitting three-pointers, scoring in the post, and facilitating for others. A sequence featuring a Sengun steal leading to a Jabari Smith Jr. dunk, followed immediately by another Sengun steal and a three-pointer from the center himself, epitomized the period’s one-sided nature. By the time Amen Thompson threw down an alley-oop dunk from Sengun just before the halftime buzzer, the Rockets’ lead was insurmountable.

Houston’s balance overwhelmed the Pelicans. Kevin Durant scored 20 points with six assists, Smith Jr. added 20 points, and Thompson contributed 14 points, eight rebounds and five assists. The Rockets also dominated the glass, outrebounding New Orleans 67-48, including a 22-8 advantage on the offensive boards that led to 29 second-chance points.

Defensively, Houston was active, recording nine steals and eight blocks. Their effort held the Pelicans to an offensive rating of just 100.7 points per 100 possessions, a stark contrast to their own rating of 135.4.

The victory improved Houston’s record to 45-29 as they continue to solidify their playoff positioning in the Western Conference. The Pelicans fell to 25-51 with the loss, their fifth in the last six games.

The teams had split two previous meetings this season, with Houston winning 107-105 on March 13. The Rockets have now taken the season series 2-1.

Houston will look to continue its push on Tuesday when it hosts the New York Knicks. New Orleans begins a three-game road trip on Thursday in Portland.