Orlando Magic Grades: Houston Rockets 114, Orlando Magic 107

The Houston Rockets got a record-setting performance from James Harden and needed every bit of his 60 points to defeat the Orlando Magic.

The Orlando Magic could do nothing with James Harden all night. Everyone else? Everyone else was shut down. But the Houston Rockets were going to give the ball to their MVP candidate and let him work. And the Magic were going to be helpless to do anything.

After giving the Rockets a narrow two-point lead, James Harden got the ball at the top of the key with the shot clock winding down starting down Mario Hezonja. Harden did not have enough time to drive, but he could continue to dribble and keep the young forward off balance.

When Mario Hezonja finally pulled up for three, Hezonja moved in to challenge. A bit too overeager, Hezonja knocked into Harden sending him to the floor. The 3-pointer was good, of course. It had to be on this night.

Harden drained the free throw to give the Rockets a six-point lead and to give himself 60 points. He added the final rebound he needed to complete the triple double. Harden’s final line: 60 points, 11 assists, 10 rebounds, five turnovers and 19-for-30 shooting.

The stat that matters most? A 114-107 Rockets win at Toyota Center on Tuesday night. Orlando gave up the final seven points and could not keep pace in the end with Harden putting the finishing touches on his record-breaking game.

Orlando went scoreless in the final three minutes and final moments of the game. The Magic could not get the great ball movement that had helped them shoot 51 percent from the floor and 15 for 31 from beyond the arc — outshooting the Rockets on 3-pointers. Orlando’s turnovers came out inopportune times.

But the Magic stayed in the game throughout. They found a way to keep pace despite Harden’s heroics and constant attack on the basket and the foul line.

Shelvin Mack, D.J. Augustin and Marreese Speights came off the bench to come up with answers again and again. Mario Hezonja stepped in for an injured Aaron Gordon and put in big buckets, attacking the defense at the right moment.

Coach Frank Vogel did not go with his typical finishing lineup. He stuck with the hot hands and it kept him and the Magic in the game. They came up with stops when they needed to and scored when they needed to.

Until the end. That is when Harden took over. Orlando could not quite get itself to the finish line. And the Rockets took home the victory.

Next: Jonathon Simmons seeking his second wind

The Orlando Magic are back in action Wednesday at the Amway Center against the Los Angeles Lakers as they debut their City Edition jerseys.