Houston Rockets Falter Against Orlando Magic 120-114

The Houston Rockets, winners of four straight, are no longer owners of a win streak.

You’d think it would last longer at least through this game before the team faces the Oklahoma City Thunder tomorrow in a tough test.

But unfortunately, that’s why you play the games.

There can be any winner, any given night.

I believe the Rockets played down to their competition today.

They thought it was going to be an easy win and they certainly played that way.

Rather sluggishly I might add.

The worst ammo that a team can have in its arsenal is nothing to lose.

Jan 14, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic guard

Elfrid Payton

(4) passes the ball around Houston Rockets guard

Patrick Beverley

(2) during the second quarter at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

From the tip, the Orlando Magic were hungry and sailed out to 11-2 with 9:07 left. That was part of a 7-0 run the team had put together on the Rockets.

Victor Oladipo led the charge with his quick facilitating and making the best of his opportunities to score.

After a timeout was a called with 8:58 left, Patrick Beverley quickly hit a runner to put a dent in the that lead. Magic 11, Rockets 4

The Rockets spent most of the quarter cutting their deficit, they got as close as five after a Dwight Howard put-back dunk with 2:05 left. Magic 24, Rockets 19

But Evan Fournier and Nikola Vucevic both starting attacking the paint and it paid big dividends putting the Magic back up by 10 points at the end of the 1st quarter. Magic 29, Rockets 19

The Rockets started out the 2nd quarter with a 6-0 run lead by Alexey Shved and Corey Brewer with an assortment of free throws and a three-pointer. This cut the Rockets deficit to three points. Magic 29, Rockets 26

Things remained extremely tight throughout the half and it wasn’t until Oladipo hit a three-ball that the Magic had jutted out to the largest lead of the quarter — six points. Magic 53, Rockets 47

But after a Donatas Motiejunas layup and a Beverley three the Rockets found themselves down 55-52 at the end of the 1st half.

The 2nd half started off right with an awesome, in-sync alley-oop from D-Mo to Howard barely 15 second into the 3rd quarter cutting the Rockets deficit by one.

D-Mo to D12?

I could get used to this!

Jan 14, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic guard

Victor Oladipo

(5) dunks against the Houston Rockets during the second half at Amway Center. Orlando Magic defeated the Houston Rockets 120-113. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Each team continued to trade baskets until Beverley fouled Devyn Marble off a three-point attempt sending him to the line for three. Those would be the only points he’d score on the night.

He converted on all attempts but that opportunity helped the Magic go back up by nine with 6:11 left.

James Harden and D12 both worked together to get the Rockets back in the game they were able to take their first lead of the game with 2:17 left. Rockets 81, Magic 79

The team continued to keep it turned up the notch as they lead at the end of the 3rd quarter 85-84.

The 4th quarter was certainly a game of tug-o-war all the way up until about 1:58 left when Elfrid Payton and Channing Frye both started 7-0 run to lead the Rockets 111-107 with 1:20 left.

That was ultimately the dagger of the game as the team wasn’t able to recover from there. They only scored six more points — all layups — two from Beverley and one from D-Mo.

Oladipo totally dominated this game along with considerable help from Vucevic.

Oladipo had 32 points, six rebounds, six assists and three steals off 12-for-19 shooting.

Vucevic had 25/12, three steals and one block.

Jan 14, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic guard

Ben Gordon

(7) shoots over Houston Rockets forward

Donatas Motiejunas

(20) during the second half at Amway Center. Orlando Magic defeated the Houston Rockets 120-113. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

But unfortunately, the Rockets found themselves on the short end of the stick. Final Score: Magic 120, Rockets 113

The Rockets had 20 turnovers — the Magic were able to convert 26 points off those turnovers.

It was a game that involved 17 lead changes and nine tied opportunities that led to be fruitless after the final score.

Harden led all scorers with 26 points, 10 assists, five steals off 10-for-16 shooting from the field. He was 5-for-6 from the line.

D12 had 23 points, eight rebounds including 7-for-7 from the charity stripe. Wow!

Josh Smith did a nice job off the bench grabbing 10 boards, doling out five dimes and one block in 24 minutes of action.

This is a tough pill for the Rockets to swallow but they must move and focus on their opponent tomorrow night.