Photos for Headline Surfer / Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero is shown with Franz Wagner scoring in screenshot inset in an l116-108 loss to the visiting Houston Rockets, on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, at the Kia Center in Orlando, Florida.
By HENRY FREDERICK / Headline Surfer
ORLANDO, Fla. -- The visiting Houston Rockets defeated the Orlando Magic Wednesday night, 116-108, despite 31 points from forward Paolo Banchero.
Jalen Green led the Rockets with a team-high 26 points, 7 rebounds and 3 three-pointers for the Rockets, while teammate Alperen Sengun tallied 22 points, 12 rebounds, and 4 assists.
Despite Banchero's team-high 31 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, and Franz Wagner chipping in 20 points, the Magic were overwhelmed by the high-charging Rockets offense, which had stellar three-point shooting throughout the game.
Orlando outscored Houston 60-46 in the paint and got five more assists than Houston, but the Rockets hit two more 3-pointers than the Magic and made a dozen more free throws.
Despite Banchero's team-high 31 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, and Franz Wagner chipping in 20 points, the Magic were overwhelmed by the high-charging Rockets offense, which had stellar three-point shooting throughout the game. Orlando outscored Houston 60-46 in the paint and got five more assists than Houston, but the Rockets hit two more 3-pointers than the Magic and made a dozen more free throws.
The Magic knocked down only nine of their 35 attempts from beyond the arc.
Ultimately, that’s what comes to breaking zones down,” Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley said after the loss. “We got some great looks. Our guys are going to keep stepping into those looks. I really do believe we got some sprayouts for some wide-open corner threes, some open wing threes."
Mosley added, "You are going to get the great looks (with) P (Paolo Banchero) and Franz (Wagner) generating those looks. You have to be able to continue to step in and knock them down.”
Multimedia Video
YouTube download / Orlando Magic video /Game highlights in home loss to the Houston Rockets.
With the win, the Rockets improved their record to 45-25, while the Magic fell to 32-38 for the season.
The Magic's next game is Friday on the road against the Washington Wizards (7 pm ET, Monumental Sports Network/FanDuel Sports Network--Florida).
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