Jalen Green scored 26 points, the Alperen Sengun had 22 points and 12 returns, and the visiting Houston Rockets extended their season best winning line to eight matches with a victory 116-108 over Orlando Magic on Wednesday.
Fred Vanvleet added 19 points for Houston (45-25), which surpassed Orlando 32-20 during the third quarter and never dragged during the second half. Tari Eason got 16 points and took nine returns, Dillon Brooks added 15 points, and Jabari Smith Jr had 13.
Rockets led from 16 halfway through the fourth quarter before Magic pulled within 108-101 at Goga Bitadze’s can with 2:12 left in regulation.
After Orlando (32-38) missed his next three field target attempt, Houston made eight consecutive foul shots to help secure the victory.
After snapping Cleveland Cavaliers ’16 game victory on Sunday, Orlando shot 44.6 percent from the field and 25.7 percent (9 out of 35) from 3-point intervals against the rockets.
Paolo Banchero led the magic with 31 points. Franz Wagner scored 20 points, Bitadze added 19 from the bench, Cory Joseph had a season high 13, and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope got 10. Orlando has dropped eight of his last 11 games.
Rockets ended a swipe of the two-game series against Orlando while they shot 46.9 percent from the floor, including 11 out of 35 (31.4 percent) beyond the arch. Houston was also 29 out of 32 (90.6 percent) from the Foul line.
Houston led 28-23 at the end of the first period before Orlando progressed 38-30 after opening the second quarter on a 15-2 driving.
Rockets responded by ending the second quarter on a 20-8 run and took a lead of 56-52 in half after Vanvleet met a 3-point at the summer. Banchero had 18 points during the first half to lead all goal scorers.
Houston moved forward 80-65 with 3:47 in the third quarter after Vanvleet’s Trey covered a 12-0 driving. Orlando beat 88-72 at the end of the period.
The magic played without guard Cole Anthony (left big toe stem).
-Field level media
