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Houston Rockets: 3 takeaways from 2018-19 season opener

By Gavriel Wilkins

HOUSTON, TX - OCTOBER 17: James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets is introduced during a game against the New Orleans Pelicans on October 17, 2018 at Toyota Center, in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Bill Baptist/NBAE via Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX - OCTOBER 17: James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets is introduced during a game against the New Orleans Pelicans on October 17, 2018 at Toyota Center, in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Bill Baptist/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Photo by Bill Baptist/Getty Images
Photo by Bill Baptist/Getty Images /

Despite kicking off the year in front of their home fans at the Toyota Center, the Houston Rockets got routed in their first contest of the season against the New Orleans Pelicans. Here are the three takeaways from Clutch City’s 2018-19 opener.

On a night where Houston Rockets guard James Harden was honored for winning last year’s Most Valuable Player award prior to warmups, Anthony Davis sought to play the spoiler of ceremonies, as the five-time All-Star kicked off the new year by making a case of his own for the game’s top honor.

Davis, who finished third in MVP voting this past season, poured in a game-high 32 points, 16 rebounds, eight assists, three steals and three blocks to lead the New Orleans Pelicans to a 131-112 win against the Rockets in the season opener.

"“Man, they just played harder than us,” Rockets guard Chris Paul told reporters shortly after the game. “We definitely got to make some corrections on the defensive end. That’s on us.” “Luckily, we don’t play a two-or-three-game season. We got time to get this thing right.”"

Nikola Mirotic scored 30 points, while Julius Randle added 25 points on 9-of-15 shooting, en route to helping New Orleans silence the crowd and put together a 53.1 percent shooting night from the field.

Eric Gordon led the Rockets with 21 points off the bench, while P.J. Tucker and Chris Paul finished the game with 19 points apiece in a losing effort.

Here are the three takeaways from Clutch City’s disappointing season opener.

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