Fansided

Pelicans’ Jason Smith destroys Rockets’ Chandler Parsons (GIF)

By Andrew Melnick

Jan 13, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans center Jason Smith (14) is guarded by San Antonio Spurs power forward Tim Duncan (21) during the first quarter of a game at the New Orleans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 13, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans center Jason Smith (14) is guarded by San Antonio Spurs power forward Tim Duncan (21) during the first quarter of a game at the New Orleans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 13, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans center Jason Smith (14) is guarded by San Antonio Spurs power forward Tim Duncan (21) during the first quarter of a game at the New Orleans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 13, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans center Jason Smith (14) is guarded by San Antonio Spurs power forward Tim Duncan (21) during the first quarter of a game at the New Orleans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /

During the first quarter of Wednesday night’s matchup between the Houston Rockets and New Orleans Pelicans, Rockets’ forward Chandler Parsons got the ball out in transition. As Parson rose up in an attempt to jam the ball home, Pelicans’ big man Jason Smith got in perfect position, leaped and blocked Person’s shot at the rim. It was one of the most beautiful plays a defensive player could possibly make out in transition.

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theScore /

Parsons has made a jump into of the better players in the NBA. He helped the Rockets recruit Dwight Howard and is due for a big raise very soon (he makes less than $1 million per season and is the best value in the NBA. This season, Parsons is averaging 17.1 points, 5.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.2 assists per game.

Smith, who has been needed in the absence of power forward Ryan Anderson, is putting up 9.7 points and 5.8 rebounds per game.

At the half, Parsons has 12 points and Smith has just four, but the Pelicans have a 56-45 lead over the Rockets.

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