Rockets vs. Magic Pre-Game 12/21/22

Rockets Seek to Halt Skid, Magic Visit H-Town

Second Calling.    Repeat Green.    Same Results.

For the second time this season, the Rockets square off against this year’s first overall pick, Paolo Banchero, and the Orlando Magic. Houston won the first meeting between the teams this season, back in Orlando on November 7th. That game saw Jalen Green score a career-high 34 points, and the Rockets snap a six game losing streak with a 134-127 win over the Magic. Houston’s seeking similar results tonight, as they enter this game riding a three-game losing streak at home. Hopefully the Rockets will play with more confidence against a team they’ve already defeated this season.

Jalen Green’s been quiet during this losing streak. Houston needs their superstar to break out of his sophomore slump if the Rockets want to end this skid anytime soon. Green scored only 13 points in previous loss to San Antonio. The squad needs a lot more from their stellar sophomore if they want to sweep the season-series with Orlando. Green went-off for a career-high 34 points in the first matchup between these squads. The squad needs a repeat performance tonight to garner a victory. This is the penultimate game of Houston’s current 7-game home-stand. They’ll cap the festivities off at Toyota Center on Friday night when Luka Doncic and the Mavs come to town.

For now, the Rockets are staring straight in the face of another game they should win. Despite the Orlando’s improved play of late, winning 6 of their previous 9 games, Houston still has the necessary talent and home court edge to beat a team of the Magic’s calibers. Will Houston manage to avoid these second-half breakdowns that have poisoned them during this losing streak? Or will they be susceptible to another collapse? This is the Rockets best chance at victory schedule-wise for a long stretch, as the schedule gets increasingly difficult to end the year. And January is no piece of cake for Houston, as they face a brutal upcoming winter. It’s time for the Rockets to conjure up some magic on the court tonight, and put this losing streak to an end.

Toyota Center:  Houston, Texas

 

Jersey Colors:

Orlando Magic (11-21):  White

Houston Rockets (9-21):  Black

 

Tip-Off:  7:00 PM CT

TV:  AT&T Sportsnet SW,  NBA League Pass