The Orlando Magic got the win, sure, but this was a bad game for the Magic thanks to a sluggish start. Our grades do not look at them kindly.
The Orlando Magic eventually defeated the Houston Rockets 123-119 at State Farm Arena in Hidalgo, Texas. It was a slow burn to get to that point. The Magic had to recover from a terrible, terrible start.
The lackluster first quarter was what the coaching staff will latch onto. That kind of struggle is something that the coaching staff has been working hard to to eliminate. It is going to cost the team wins once the regular season starts.
Houston scored 37 points in the first quarter, making seven of 14 3-pointers in the process. Orlando committed six of its 16 turnovers in the first quarter and just looked slow and a step behind throughout the quarter. The Rockets did whatever they wanted offensively and dominated play defensively.
The Magic only came back because they increased their energy and the Rockets’ shots stopped falling. Plus it was preseason so the end of bench players can be a little unpredictable.
Orlando had its good moments though. Plenty of them. The team could not if it was to get back into the game.
C.J. Watson and Devyn Marble each played well to carry the team through the fourth quarter. Tobias Harris had his scoring runs too. And Mario Hezonja ended up finishing the whole thing.
Next: Orlando Magic still building good stretches in comeback win