Orlando Magic fall to Houston Rockets in close matchup

Monday night, the Houston Rockets earned their first road win against the Orlando Magic 134-127. The Rockets snapped their six game losing streak to improve their record to 2-9. As a result, the Magic added one more loss to their total for the season, bringing their record to 2-9, as well.

gg @HoustonRockets pic.twitter.com/YxjhdRBCWq

— Orlando Magic (@OrlandoMagic) November 8, 2022

Houston On Fire

Jalen Green scored 34 points on the night, followed closely behind by K.J. Martin’s 21. Green and Martin were among nine Rockets who made three-pointers in the game. Houston had a 50% success rate in threes, going 24 for 48 from behind the arc.

According to Dick Scanlon of the Associated Press, Rockets coach Stephen Silas credits ball movement for the reason they scored so many points.

”We’re not going to make 24 threes every night, but at least we’re creating opportunities for our teammates,” Silas said.

Green scored seven points in a 12-0 third-quarter run, allowing the Rockets to build a 100-83 advantage before the end of the period. This was the second time in a row the Magic have dropped the ball in the third quarter, after seeing a 20-point lead disappear against Sacramento on Saturday night.

Working Their Magic

The Magic’s offense had arguably its best night for shooting of the season, making over 65% of its first-half shots. However, most of those shots were only two-pointers, while the Rockets were hammering threes.

Paolo Banchero led the Magic with 30 points, Franz Wagner followed 23 points and Terrence Ross had 21. Orlando shot for 54.9% for the game and made 12 of the 25 three-pointers.

Paolo Banchero tonight:

30 PTS*
6 REB
4 AST
50% FG
12-14 FT

He becomes the 5th teenager in @NBAHistory
to have consecutive 30+ point games:

– LeBron James (2003)
– Devin Booker (2016)
– Luka Doncic (2019)
– Zion Williamson (2020)

(H/T @Sportradar) pic.twitter.com/TdEbKLgVXn

— Orlando Magic (@OrlandoMagic) November 8, 2022

Up Next

The Orlando Magic will be staying at home to welcome the Dallas Mavericks to the Amway Center on Wednesday night at 7 p.m.

The Houston Rockets will travel to Toronto to take on the Raptors Wednesday night, as well, at 7:30 p.m.