Rockets win game one of the Florida two-step, extending the streak to 8.
Coming off of an overtime win versus the Sixers, where the Houston Rockets trailed by 25 to an injury riddled, lesser opponent, there would no excuse to come out and not show the Orlando Magic the respect any NBA team deserves. Ime Udoka certainly wasn’t playing around early, as he successfully challenged a foul call on Tari Eason 18 seconds into the game. The first quarter was not a teaching tape on offense for the Rockets, and the Magic started hot shooting over 50 percent halfway through the quarter. The Rockets were able to keep the game close by getting to the free throw line and making their shots from there going 10-for-10. In the last five minutes of the game the Rockets went on a 16-4 run to close out the quarter and head to the second with a 28-23 lead.
The Magic scored the first six points of the second quarter and retook the lead. The Rockets plagued by missed shots and turnovers saw the Magic lead climb to eight before the Rockets climbed back into the game with another run of 13-2. Ultimately the Rockets were able to pick up the offense and defensive pressure and finished the first half shooting 45.2 percent from the field and holding the Magic to 41.7 percent and take a 56-52 lead into the half after a logo three-point make by Fred VanVleet at the buzzer. Jalen Green led the way for the Rockets with 14 points.
The Rockets began to flex a bit in the third quarter and were able to stretch their lead out to eight points within the first four minutes. After that they started to flex a lot. A 12-0 run with four minutes left put the Rockets up by 15 points and ballooned the lead to 16 going into the fourth quarter. Three-point shooting was not great either way, but the Magic were really bad in the first two quarters. The Rockets shot 12-of-23 in the third quarter and hit 4-of-11 from three.
The Magic did outscore the Rockets by eight points in the fourth quarter, but the game never really felt in danger. Paulo Banchero and Franz Wagner played very well scoring 31 and 20 points respectively. The Magic outscored the Rockets in the paint and their bench outscored the Rockets bench, but the Rockets were able to get to the free throw line 32 times and make 29 of them. It wasn’t a great shooting night from the arc for the Rockets, but they did make more than the Magic, that in addition to winning the rebound battle was enough to keep the Rockets out in front for good and come away with a 116-108 win, their 8th in a row. Jalen Green led the way offensively with 26 points, and Tari Eason played another complete all-around game with 16 points, 9 rebounds, 5 steals, and a blocked shot.
The Rockets will head to Miami to take on the Heat on Friday. Ime Udoka said it’s possible we may see Amen Thompson return in that game. With the Nuggets and Lakers playing tonight, this was big win for the Rockets as they try to keep themselves in second place in the Western Conference standings. A ninth win in a row would be even better. Check out the game on Space City Home Network or listen on Sports Talk 790 AM.