By ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: 02:47 GMT, 11 March 2025 | Updated: 02:47 GMT, 11 March 2025
HOUSTON (AP) - Jabari Smith Jr. had 20 points and tied a career high with five 3-pointers, helping the Houston Rockets beat the Orlando Magic 97-84 on Monday night for their third consecutive victory.
Alperen Sengun had 14 points and 14 rebounds for Houston, and Steven Adams finished with 11 points and 17 boards.
Paolo Banchero led Orlando with 25 points. Franz Wagner had 15 points, and Wendell Carter Jr. grabbed 12 rebounds.
The Magic closed to 65-58 on Wagner's layup with 5:04 left in the third quarter. But Jeff Green and Dillon Brooks made consecutive 3-pointers to make it 71-58 with 2:47 to go.
Banchero made two free throws, but the Rockets scored the next four points. Aaron Holiday's 3-pointer made it 75-60 with 26 seconds to go.
Brooks finished with 17 points.
Houston Rockets' Tari Eason (17) and Orlando Magic's Wendell Carter Jr. (34) reach for a rebound during the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, March 10, 2025, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Magic: Orlando was unable to build on its win over Milwaukee, which snapped a five-game skid. It dropped 10-22 since Jan. 1.
Rockets: Houston used a balanced scoring attack to help make up for starters Amen Thompson and Fred VanVleet sitting out with ankle injuries.
Brooks and Sengun each made a 3 to help the Rockets open a 95-77 lead with 3:01 left.
The Rockets made 16 3-pointers, compared to just eight by Orlando.
Houston hosts Phoenix on Wednesday night, and Orlando visits New Orleans on Thursday night.
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Orlando Magic's Cole Anthony (50) goes up for a shot as Houston Rockets' Jalen Green (4) defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, March 10, 2025, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Houston Rockets' Steven Adams (12) goes up for a dunk against the Orlando Magic during the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, March 10, 2025, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Orlando Magic's Franz Wagner (22) shoots as Houston Rockets' Jalen Green (4) and Tari Eason, right, defend during the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, March 10, 2025, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Houston Rockets' Alperen Sengun (28) looks to shoot as Orlando Magic's Wendell Carter Jr. (34) defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, March 10, 2025, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Houston Rockets' Jalen Green (4) drives around Orlando Magic's Cole Anthony during the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, March 10, 2025, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Houston Rockets' Dillon Brooks, right, drives toward the basket as Orlando Magic's Cole Anthony defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, March 10, 2025, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)