On April 10, Beijing time, the Rockets faced the Magic at home. The Rockets have had a very tragic season, winning 11 straight games in March to close the gap with the Warriors, but in direct conversations, the Rockets lost to their direct rivals and have missed the play-in tournament. The Magic are in third place in the East, only one win away from the Bucks, and even have a chance to move up to No. 2, and will definitely go all out. Rockets starting lineup: VanVleet + Jalen Green + Dillon + Thompson + Smith, Magic starting lineup: Suggs + Fultz + Harris + Banchero + Carter.
In the first quarter, the Rockets were on fire at home, and VanVleet scored 15 points and 3 rebounds in a single quarter, leading the team to a 36-25 run and leading by 11 points in a single quarter. In the second quarter, the Rockets' offensive efficiency declined, playing 27-26 in a single quarter, still dominating an absolute advantage. The Rockets still want to win, they have suffered 5 consecutive defeats before, morale is relatively low, this time in the face of the strong rival Magic, they also played their own style, although they have completely missed the play-offs, but the Rockets will not be bad, and they will make a comeback next season.
In the third quarter, the Rockets went on a 34-31 run to extend their lead. In the final quarter, the Magic did not give up, but the Rockets firmly controlled the situation of the game, and finally defeated the Magic 118-106, ending a five-game losing streak. By playing like this, the Rockets have also proven themselves to be able to compete with the league's top teams.
VanVleet of the Rockets cut 37 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists, it turns out that Udoka wants VanVleet not to Harden, which is also a very wise decision, Harden's form in the Clippers this season is obvious to all, if he joined the Rockets last year, it is estimated that the Rockets' record is far worse than now, and the team will not be as united as now. Jalen Green had 14 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists, Dillon had 15 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists, Amen Thompson had 13 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists, and Jabari Smith Jr. had 23 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists. For the Magic, Fultz had 18 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists, Banchero had 21 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists, and Suggs had 21 points, 2 rebounds and 4 assists. After years of rotting, the Magic team now has a number of talented young players who will also be very competitive in the playoffs.
The Rockets defeated the Magic and finally ended a five-game losing streak, and the Rockets took it seriously no matter which game, which is admirable. The Rockets currently have a record of 39 wins and 40 losses, only 1 game away from reaching a 50% win rate, and in the next few games, the Rockets will definitely go all out, it is reported that Shen Jing will not return this season, and the overall performance of the team is very good after his injury, and the Rockets also need to face a choice in the future, that is, Jalen Green, Shen Jing and Jabari Smith Jr. can only keep 2 people, they will all get the maximum salary, and the Rockets have insufficient salary space. Jalen Green and Smith have a tacit understanding, and Shen Jing is more likely to leave the team in the future, so let's wait and see what the specific decision of the Rockets is to choose 1 from 2.