ORLANDO, FL – The Orlando Magic fell to the Houston Rockets 134-127 at the Amway Center on Monday night.
On a night where the two young teams talent was on display, the magic were just out gunned by the young Rockets, who torched them from beyond the arch.
The Rockets went 24 for 48 from deep on Monday, keeping them ahead of the Magic, with three pointers coming form throughout their roster.
The bright spot for the Magic is rookie Paolo Banchero, who scored 30 points , making him the third player to score 30+ points in consecutive games in their rookie year, the other two being Shaquille Oneal and Dennis Scott.
Terrance Ross returned to the floor from injury to score 21 points for the Magic, and Franz Wagner scored 23 in the starting lineup.
After a Mo Bamba layup pulled the Magic within three with 9:30 left in the fourth quarter, the Rockets responded with 12 unanswered points. Alperen Sengun started the run with an AND-1; and then Daishen Nix, Tari Eason, and Martin each hit 3-pointers.
The Magic defense was just not built to defend against this type of assault
“You have to give them credit,” coach Jamahl Mosley said after Monday’s game. “They did get hot. There were a lot of open looks. Our ability to get into that basketball. But you have to give them credit for knocking shots down. . . . I think we’ve got to continue to talk about that. Obviously understanding how we need to come out and set the tone early. Pick up our defense, let our defense be what starts it.”
The Magic next face the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday at Amway Center.
