Orlando Magic Grades: Houston Rockets 128, Orlando Magic 104

The Orlando Magic could never quite catch up as the Houston Rockets laid it on them in the second quarter and held on for the wins at Toyota Center.

The Houston Rockets quickly exposed every weakness the Orlando Magic had on the defensive end.

There was James Harden get stopped and swarmed and feeding it to Clint Capela or Nene cutting to the basket. There was a turnover igniting a fast break or an offensive rebound giving that gap for a 3-point shooter to squirt free. There was it all. The Magic were scrambling and twisted apart against the Houston Rockets.

And in one hammer, the Rockets took control of the game ripped the Magic apart. A 20-2 run to end the first quarter and start the second quarter gave the Rockets the lead.

They put together one final run to put the game out of reach as the Magic made a run in the third and fourth quarter to get the deficit to within nine points. Orlando could not generate the offense or make the big plays to close the gap.

The Magic could not hit 3-pointers consistently. And it seemed like when the Magic needed a big three, they could not find one. The Rockets hit them in bunches to bury the Magic.

Houston shot 16 for 38 (42.1 percent) from beyond the arc. Not the crazy amount of threes (a Magic opponent record 49) from the first meeting. But the Rockets were able to drive and dish into the perimeter with relative easy. When Orlando missed, Houston got out in transition and scored easy baskets. The Magic’s communication on pick and rolls and switching were extremely poor.

But Orlando missed a ton of shots. The Magic made just 6 of 25 (24.0 percent) from beyond the arc. It was difficult to get open shots. The Magic’s spacing remains a major concern.

So too does the consistency in effort. The Magic’s second unit gave up the large run to start the second quarter as the game got out of control.

And the news continues not to be good. Aaron Gordon left the game at halftime with a sore right foot. The Magic fought their way back into the game, but things continue to look bleak for the team’s hopes heading to the All-Star Break.