Chuma Okeke scored a career-high 26 points (15 on 5 3-pointers), and the Orlando Magic went on a 12-3 run in the fourth quarter to beat the Houston Rockets 119-111 to end a 4-game losing streak.
It was tied at 90 when Okeke’s 3-pointer put the Magic ahead for good with 9:55 left. They pulled away to a 102-93 lead with 7:13 left.
The Rockets got within 104-102 on Christian Wood’s free throw with 4:18 to play, but Okeke answered with a driving layup, and the Rockets got no closer.
During clutch time, the Magic outscored the Rockets 7-3. Okeke scored all 7 of the Magic’s points on 3 for 3 shooting. In the fourth quarter, Jalen Green had 2 of his 4 steals, and the Rockets scored 3 points off them.
Wendell Carter Jr. had 24 points (14 in the paint) and 12 rebounds on 9 for 11 shooting. The Magic had 7 players in double-digit scoring.
For the Rockets, Green had 23 points and a career-high 4 steals, and Wood added 21 points and 11 rebounds.
The Magic went 22 for 29 at the line to the Rockets’ 9 for 20 and outscored them 59-33 off the bench. The Magic’s starters were outscored 32-15 in 10 minutes together. Mo Bamba and Jalen Suggs fouled out for the Magic, and Jae'Sean Tate for the Rockets.