Magic vs. Rockets
In the previous March, the performance of the Houston Rockets simply dazzled countless fans. They were able to win 11 consecutive victories even when the team's starting center Shin Kyung-shang retired from injury, and once became the team with the longest winning streak in the entire league. But unfortunately, in the process of catching up with the Warriors, they still failed to get their wish, and announced the reality of missing the play-offs and the playoffs in advance. With the remainder of the regular season, the Rockets are facing the challenge of the Orlando Magic this time.
To be sure, the Magic started rebuilding around the same time as the Rockets, but they are back on the right track to win. With a 46-32 record so far this season and third place in the East, they are not to be underestimated. Unfortunately, they are only 0.5 wins ahead of the Knicks and Cavaliers, and still haven't secured a playoff spot. However, the Magic team failed to stabilize the situation when they challenged the Rockets this time, allowing VanVleet, who ushered in the outbreak, to lead the team to a total score of 118-106 and won the final victory.
The specific results
In the first half of the game, the Rockets, who were fighting at home, maintained a hot state and extended the lead of the score one after another. VanVleet played the full 12 minutes of the first quarter, shooting 6-of-8 from the field and 1-of-2 from the free-throw line, delivering 15 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 block, while Smith also had 8 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 block, helping the team to a 36-25 score and an 11-point lead. Entering the second quarter of the matchup, the Rockets were able to take advantage of the situation and continue to play a 27-26 score, expanding the difference to 12 points.
Yibian fought again, and the Rockets, who maintained the initiative in the score lead, did not give the Magic a chance to fight back. In the third quarter of the competition, VanVleet stepped up again, 3 of 4 three-pointers, 4 of 6 shots, and delivered 11 points, 3 rebounds and 1 assist, Green also had 7 points, 1 rebound and 1 assist, and Smith, who handed over 6 points, helped the team play a 34-31 score. In the final quarter of the decisive game, although the Magic team did not compromise and played a score of 24-21, but at the end of the fourth quarter of regular time, the Rockets still won the final victory with a total score of 118-106.
epilogue
The five players who started the game on the Rockets' side all scored in double figures, and the overall offensive aggression can be seen. During this period, Green delivered 14 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists, and VanVleet even made 6 of 11 three-pointers and 13 of 22 shots, delivering a game-high 37 points, as well as 8 rebounds and 6 assists. During this period, the scoring contribution of 37 points in a single game also set a new high for his rocket career. At the same time, Smith also had 23 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists, Brooks also handed over 15 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists, and Thompson had 13 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists.
On the other hand, on the Magic side of the away team, although they also have 5 players in double figures, the corresponding efficiency is still slightly inferior. Banchero, the champion Lang Banchero, shot 7 of 19, delivered 21 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists, and Suggs also had 21 points, 2 rebounds and 4 assists, all of which could only be helpless to enter the empty slash group. And Foltz, who started the game, although he also contributed 18 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists, and got a new personal season scoring high, but he could only be powerless.