Jalen Green scored 34 points (8 during a 12-0 run in the third quarter), and the Houston Rockets beat the Orlando Magic 134-127 to end a 6-game losing streak.
The Rockets took control with a 20-4 run in the third quarter and led by as many as 17.
The Magic got within 103-100 on Mo Bamba’s driving layup with 9:30 to play, but Alperen Sengun answered with a three-point play, and the Magic got no closer than 131-127.
KJ Martin scored 21 points (13 in the second quarter) off the bench, and Sengun added 20 points and 10 rebounds. The Rockets had 3 20-point scorers. Kevin Porter Jr. assisted on 5 of Martin’s 8 baskets, 4 of them 3-pointers.
For the Magic, Paolo Banchero scored 30 points, and Franz Wagner added 23 points and 7 assists on 9 for 12 shooting. Terrence Ross scored 21 points with 5 3-pointers off the bench. Ross scored 15 of his 21 points in the fourth quarter. The Magic had 3 20-point scorers.
The Rockets shot 52.9% from the field and 50.0% from 3 to the Magic’s 54.9% and 48.0%. The Rockets made 24 3-pointers, 5 of them by Eric Gordon and 5 by Green. The Magic gave up 14 offensive rebounds, about 6 more than usual for the shots the Rockets missed. The Magic outscored the Rockets 20-10 in 5 minutes with Ross, Carter, Wagner, Suggs and Banchero on the floor together.