Orlando Magic Grades: Houston Rockets 107 Orlando Magic 94

Mar 17, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets forward Trevor Ariza (1) dribbles the ball during the second quarter as Orlando Magic guard Ben Gordon (7) defends at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 17, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets forward Trevor Ariza (1) dribbles the ball during the second quarter as Orlando Magic guard Ben Gordon (7) defends at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Victor Oladipo elevated his level of play tonight but another Magic cornerstone may have had a career worst performance in Orlando’s 107-94 loss to the Houston Rockets.

The Orlando Magic had their defense cooking in the third quarter. Victor Oladipo was outperforming MVP-candidate James Harden. It was a thing of beauty.

Then Josh Smith hit two 3-pointers at the end of the third quarter, the seven-point lead got cut to one before the end of the third quarter. Houston finished things off with some difficult shots and 3-pointers falling and the Orlando offense fell apart as things tend to do in the fourth quarter.

Let the frustration continue.

Next: Magic succumb to late swoon again