NBA: Jalen Green, Rockets run win streak to eight by defeating Magic
Houston Rockets guard Jalen Green (4) drives past Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero, right, during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, March 19, 2025, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Jalen Green scored 26 points, Alperen Sengun had 22 points and 12 rebounds, and the visiting Houston Rockets extended their NBA season-best winning streak to eight games with a 116-108 victory over the Orlando Magic on Wednesday.
Fred VanVleet added 19 points for Houston (45-25), which outscored Orlando 32-20 in the third quarter and never trailed in the second half. Tari Eason scored 16 points and grabbed nine rebounds, Dillon Brooks added 15 points, and Jabari Smith Jr. had 13.
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The Rockets led by 16 midway through the fourth quarter before the Magic pulled within 108-101 on Goga Bitadze’s dunk with 2:12 left in regulation.
After Orlando (32-38) missed its next three field-goal attempts, Houston made eight consecutive foul shots to help secure the victory.
Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun (28) shoots over Orlando Magic forward Franz Wagner (22) during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, March 19, 2025, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
After snapping the Cleveland Cavaliers’ 16-game win streak on Sunday, Orlando shot 44.6 percent from the field and 25.7 percent (9 of 35) from 3-point range against the Rockets.
Paolo Banchero led the Magic with 31 points. Franz Wagner scored 20 points, Bitadze added 19 off the bench, Cory Joseph had a season-high 13, and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope scored 10. Orlando has lost eight of its last 11 games.
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The Rockets completed a sweep of the two-game series against Orlando while shooting 46.9 percent from the floor, including 11 of 35 (31.4 percent) from beyond the arc. Houston was also 29 of 32 (90.6 percent) from the foul line.
Houston led 28-23 at the end of the first period before Orlando moved ahead 38-30 after opening the second quarter on a 15-2 run.
The Rockets responded by ending the second quarter on a 20-8 run and took a 56-52 lead into the half after VanVleet hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer. Banchero had 18 points in the first half to lead all scorers.
Houston moved ahead 80-65 with 3:47 left in the third quarter after VanVleet’s trey capped a 12-0 run. Orlando trailed 88-72 at the end of the period.
The Magic played without guard Cole Anthony (left big toe strain). –Field Level Media
