Lonzo Ball returned to the starting lineup for the undermanned Pelicans and led New Orleans to a gutsy 122-115 win.
Ball flew out of the gates with four 3-pointers in the opening minutes of the first quarter to get his return off on the right note. Prior to Sunday, Ball had missed the last seven games with a strained right hip flexor.
New Orleans as a team shot out of the gate on the night, scoring 70 points in the first half and leading by as many as 14. Houston, though, dominated the third quarter to hold a lead going into the final frame. With Nickeil Alexander-Walker going down during the first half with an ankle injury, Ball and Eric Bledsoe played 37 and 34 minutes, respectively, and were the only two guards available to see the game out.
When Ball went down with cramps late in the fourth, though, it was James Johnson and Willy Hernangomez that helped seal the win in the final minutes.
Ball tallied 27 points after setting a career-high with eight 3-pointers. Johnson added 18 points and Hernangomez 15.
