West Notes: Rockets, Alperen Sengun, Pelicans, Grizzlies

Rockets

• Big man Alperen Sengun finished the Rockets’ win over the Pelicans with 24 points on 11-of-15 shooting and is now averaging 19 points on 61.7 percent shooting for the season.
• Per Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle, Dwight Howard was the last member of the Rockets to average at least 19 points while shooting at least 60 percent through the first eight games. “Before that, Rudy Tomjanovich in 1976-77,” Feigen added.
• The game wasn’t always pretty, but the Rockets have now won five straight. “Being up and down, having ejections, technical fouls, foul trouble, bad shooting, turnovers — this game had it all tonight,” guard Fred VanVleet told reporters. “We were able to stay resilient and come out with a win.”
• Houston has won five straight and is now 5-1 at home. “We weren’t our best offensively or defensively, but it’s good to grind it out,” coach Ime Udoka said. “It’s a little more gratifying to win that way than a blowout. The guys made some big plays in the fourth quarter.”

Pelicans

Friday’s loss to the Rockets featured 14 lead changes, as the Pelicans remained without the injured CJ McCollum (lung), Jose Alvarado (ankle) and Herb Jones (fibula).

Still, the Pelicans had their chances.

“They made plays down the stretch of the game in the last couple of minutes,” coach Willie Green told reporters. “The guys battled their tails off against a team that’s been going lately. Across the board, we couldn’t ask for anything better, we just came up a little short.”

Grizzlies

Coach Taylor Jenkins took serious issue with Jaren Jackson Jr. being ejected from Friday’s loss to the Jazz and is now likely facing a fine from the league office.

“He gets a double-technical foul, and the excuse I get is that he is charging an official,” Jenkins told reporters. “Our team is competing their (tails) off, and this is what happens? The interaction right now with the officials, complete disrespect.

“I know what’s coming. It’s unbelievable. …I don’t understand it.”

• The Grizzlies went 35-6 at home last season. This season, they’re 0-5 there.