NBA季前赛-火箭上海胜鹈鹕

To Shanghai for basketball where the Houston Rockets took on the New Orleans Pelicans in the 10th edition of NBA Games in China.

Houston is of course Yao Ming's old team so they have always had a strong connection and a large fanbase in the PRC. They've tried to pay back that support over the years and this game marks their third in the country and the Rockets would also go the extra step of having their team name written in Chinese characters on their jerseys.

There is the big man himself, the owner of the CBA's Shanghai Sharks and Hall of Famer Yao. Another superstar Chinese athlete in attendance as former hurdler Liu Xiang takes a bow.New Orleans jumps out to five point lead when Anthony Davis finishes with a flush.

But Hoston bounces behind James Harden's sharp shooting as he connects from distance. 17-15 Rockets. And it would be the big beard again just before halftime, knocking down another triple. Harden would have 26 points and 15 assists this game.

But the Pelican with prominent facial hair would tie it up at 81 when Davis cuts to the rack for a lay-in. Harden then tosses up the alley-oop to Clint Capela putting on a show for Shanghai.

This game would be close the whole way and when Capela cleans up with a two-handed dunk, Houston lead by one point.

With time winding down, Harden dishes to Eric Gordon who pours in three of his 24 points to make it 118-117 Rockets.

Pelicans down four and needing to make a play, but Montrezl Harrell steals it then races the other way for a big jam. An emphatic ending to a great game as Houston win 123-117 to send their fans in Shanghai home happy.