NBA Recap: Orlando Magic Continue Offensive Juggernaut, Dispose Houston Rockets, 120-113
The Orlando Magic are beginning to figure it out on the offensive side of the floor, recording consecutive 120-plus points in back-to-back wins over top teams Chicago Bulls and the Houston Rockets. The Magic halted the four game winning streak of former player Dwight Howard and the Rockets with the inside-outside combination of second year forward Victor Oladipo and centre Nikola Vucevic, outlasting the visiting team 120-113.
The game was full display of offensive arsenal as the team used a 9-0 run in the closing minutes to seasl the win for the Florida-based team. Vucevic continued his strong play this season recording another double-double of 25 points and 12 rebounds while Oladipo was more impressive with his stat-stuffing line of 33 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists, and three steals. This is also the second consecutive outing that the former number 2 pick has delivered more than 30 points and he looks forward to continuing the momentum and the new found identity of the team.
''I think it took time but we've figured out how to play,'' Oladipo told Yahoo Sports. ''Now that we've figured it out, we can't change it.''
The Rockets got solid play from James Harden who had a near triple-double with 26 points, 10 assists, 5 steals and 4 rebounds but late in the game the fourth-seed Rockets could not stop the Magic onslaught. The team was leading 107-104 with just over 2 minutes left to play when the Magic went on a run fuelled by two consecutive makes by lottery pick Elfrid Payton and a three-point basket by stretch big man Channing Frye. The Magic sealed the win in the ensuing play when Payton stole the rock and dished to a unguarded Oladipo who punctuated the win with a 360-dunk.
The Magic are trying to chase 8th place Brooklyn Nets for the last spot in the Eastern Conference playoffs and are four games back in the loss column. They will continue their campaign Friday when they host the Memphis Grizzlies while the Rockets will try to get back on the horse after snapping a 4-game winning streak by taking on the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday.
To report problems or to leave feedback about this article, e-mail: v.hidalgo@ibtimes.com.au.