By ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: 02:11 GMT, 20 March 2025 | Updated: 02:11 GMT, 20 March 2025
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) - Jalen Green scored 26 points, Alperen Sengun had 22 points and 12 rebounds, and the Houston Rockets extended their winning streak to a season-best eight games, beating the Orlando Magic 116-108 on Wednesday night.
Fred VanVleet added 19 points for the Rockets, who maintained their second-place position in the Western Conference, ahead of - among others - the surging Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors.
Paolo Banchero led Orlando with 31 points. Franz Wagner added 20 points, eight rebounds and seven assists for the Magic, and reserve Goga Bitadze had 19 points and eight rebounds.
Rockets: Their streak included a six-game homestand. This was only their second road win since Jan. 28.
Magic: After nine losses in 13 games and six straight defeats at home, the Magic stand eighth in the East. Banchero has averaged 33 points over the last four games.
Green and VanVleet made 3-pointers to open and close a 12-0 run late in the third quarter that left the Rockets with an 80-65 lead.
Houston Rockets guard Jalen Green (4) drives past Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero, right, during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, March 19, 2025, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
The poorest free-throw shooting team in the NBA, the Rockets made 29 of 32 (90.6%) from the foul line.
Rockets: At Miami on Friday.
Magic: At Washington on Friday.
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Houston Rockets guard Jalen Green, left, struggles to get off a shot as Orlando Magic guard Cory Joseph runs into him from behind during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, March 19, 2025, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Houston Rockets forward Tari Eason (17) makes a move to the basket against Orlando Magic guard Caleb Houstan (2) during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, March 19, 2025, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun (28) shoots over Orlando Magic forward Franz Wagner (22) during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, March 19, 2025, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Houston Rockets center Steven Adams (12) loses control of the ball as he goes up for a shot against Orlando Magic forward Tristan da Silva, left, during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, March 19, 2025, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero (5) drives to the basket against Houston Rockets forward Dillon Brooks, left, during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, March 19, 2025, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)