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Orlando Magic Grades: Houston Rockets 103, Orlando Magic 98

By Jean Racine

HOUSTON, TX - JANUARY 27: Chris Paul #3 of the Houston Rockets gives James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets a hi-five during the game against the Orlando Magic on January 27, 2019 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Bill Baptist/NBAE via Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX - JANUARY 27: Chris Paul #3 of the Houston Rockets gives James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets a hi-five during the game against the Orlando Magic on January 27, 2019 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Bill Baptist/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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James Harden scored 40 points and led a comeback for the Houston Rockets to beat the Orlando Magic late once again in another frustrating loss.

Final. 98. 38. 103. 169

The Orlando Magic have seemingly played this game numerous times.

Take a big lead with some strong play only to watch their opponent inch their way back in and add a superstar flourish to the end. It has become so much of a pattern that it is almost expected.

Orlando went up by 16 points in the first half. The Houston Rockets came back. The Magic withstood every rally until the pressure ramped up at the end of the game.

James Harden continually applied that pressure.

He gave the Rockets the lead at 95-93. Harden then hit a 3-pointer to give the Rockets a three-point lead after the Magic answered. He added a step-back mid-range jumper for good measure to give the Rockets a five-point lead.

All the while the Magic’s hopes sank. Nikola Vucevic struggled once again to make shots down the stretch. Orlando had only 16 points in the final quarter. And the team’s hopes for a win and a sweep over a strong Houston team fell short.

The Rockets sent the Magic to 20-30 with a narrow 103-98 victory at Toyota Center on Sunday.

Orlando led for the majority of the game, but Houston stepped up their game when it mattered the most outscoring Orlando 29-16 in the final quarter. The Magic had been able to keep the Rockets at a distance, but they could only do it for so long.

Harden was himself, scoring 40 points on 14-for-27 shooting from the field. Evan Fournier was tasked with guarding James Harden and he did as well as most of the league. It was never a question of whether or not Harden would get off his shot, the question was when.

Orlando kept Harden and his teammates under wraps for most of the game. The team had some rough offensive moments but maintained the lead by attacking the glass effectively.

Orlando outrebounded Houston 56-39 and played superb team defense all night but just could not muster up enough offense to close out the game. Orlando shot just 40.2 percent from the floor and 10 for 35 from beyond the arc. Eventually, the offense dried up for the Magic.

The routine 3-pointers and 15-footers did not fall and the Rockets kept the ball out of Nikola Vucevic’s hands down the stretch.

A-. <a href=. F. Orlando Magic. AARON GORDON

B. <a href=. G/F. Orlando Magic. EVAN FOURNIER

C+. Although Nikola Vucevic scored 19 points and grabbed 17 rebounds, he did not have his best game. The Houston Rockets switched multiple players on him and he did not capitalize.<p>At one point, Nikola Vucevic had small forward P.J. Tucker guarding him in the post and Tucker pushed him all the way to the 3-point line. The Rockets’ smaller defenders were able to poke away at Vucevic and he uncharacteristically turned the ball over four times.</p><p>That was the biggest issue with him throughout the game. The Rockets got smaller players on him and he could not take advantage. That is where the Magic needed to get points and take advantage. Once again, Vucevic seemed to come up short at the end of the game. He made just 8 of his 19 shots and Vucevic certainly should feel like he left something on the board.</p>. C. Orlando Magic. NIKOLA VUCEVIC

<a href=. PG. Orlando Magic. D.J. AUGUSTIN. C-

HOUSTON ROCKETS. B. The Houston Rockets played to their strengths. They used the penetrating guards to get the most out of <a rel=. 29-20. 5th West

Next. Orlando Magic's trade deadline presents impossible decisions. dark

The Orlando Magic are back in action Tuesday against the Oklahoma City Thunder to start a three-game homestand. They are four games back of the Charlotte Hornets for the final spot in the Playoffs.