Orlando Magic guard R.J. Hampton, left, drives against Houston Rockets guard Jalen Green, center, as Magic center Mo Bamba, right, looks on during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Feb. 25, 2022, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Jacob M. Langston)
The Associated Press
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) - Chuma Okeke scored a career-high 26 points to lead the Orlando Magic to a 119-111 win over the Houston Rockets on Friday night in a game between the bottom teams in the NBA's Eastern and Western Conferences.
Wendell Carter Jr. added 24 points and 12 rebounds for the Magic, who broke a four-game losing streak.
Jalen Green led Houston with 23 points and Christian Wood added 21 points and 11 rebounds in Houston's eighth straight loss.
Okeke, who also had nine rebounds and four assists, scored seven straight points for Orlando after a shot by Eric Gordon had reduced the Magic's lead to 104-102 with 4:18 remaining.
Okeke's 3-pointer broke a 90-all tie and started a 12-3 Orlando run - with all the scoring coming from the bench - which kept the Magic ahead.
Jae'Sean Tate, Kevin Porter Jr., and Green hit 3-pointers to help Houston take a 17-3 lead in the first five minutes of the game, and the Rockets led throughout most of the first half with the help of 12 Magic turnovers.
Okeke's 3-pointer with 1:51 left in the first half put Orlando ahead for the first time, and the Magic closed the half with 10 straight points after Gordon scored Houston's final points on a driving layup with 2:45 left.
Wood and Gordon did all the scoring on a 16-7 run that regained the lead for Houston early in the second half, but the Magic moved back ahead with 12 straight bench points including a 3-pointer by Gary Harris.
TIP-INS
Rockets: The current losing streak is the third of the season of eight or more games. ... Opponents are averaging 127.5 points and shooting 54 percent during the losing streak. ... Gordon (groin strain) and Porter (illness) returned after missing two games before the All-Star break. ... Wood missed 10 of 13 free throw attempts.
Magic: Rookie Jalen Suggs went to the bench with three fouls committed in a span of 24 seconds early in the first quarter. ... When Mo Bamba was whistled for his second personal, the Magic had two starters in foul trouble just three minutes into the game. ... Both players fouled out in the fourth quarter.
UP NEXT
Rockets: Host the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday night.
Magic: Host Indiana on Monday night.
Houston Rockets forward Jae'Sean Tate, front, steals the ball from Orlando Magic center Wendell Carter Jr. during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Feb. 25, 2022, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Jacob M. Langston)
The Associated Press
Orlando Magic center Mo Bamba (5) looks to control the ball in front of Houston Rockets center Christian Wood (35) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Feb. 25, 2022, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Jacob M. Langston)
The Associated Press
Orlando Magic guard Jalen Suggs, center front, fights with Houston Rockets guard Eric Gordon, right, as Rockets center Christian Wood, left, looks on during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Feb. 25, 2022, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Jacob M. Langston)
The Associated Press
Houston Rockets center Christian Wood (35) pulls down a rebound in front of Orlando Magic center Wendell Carter Jr. during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Feb. 25, 2022, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Jacob M. Langston)
The Associated Press
Houston Rockets guard Eric Gordon (10) lays up a shot in front of Orlando Magic center Mo Bamba (5) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Feb. 25, 2022, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Jacob M. Langston)
The Associated Press
Orlando Magic guard Gary Harris (14) defends against Houston Rockets guard Dennis Schroder during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Feb. 25, 2022, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Jacob M. Langston)
The Associated Press
Houston Rockets guard Kevin Porter Jr., top left, fights for a rebound with Orlando Magic guard Cole Anthony (50) and center Wendell Carter Jr., right, during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Feb. 25, 2022, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Jacob M. Langston)
The Associated Press
Injured Orlando Magic guard Markelle Fultz shoots before the team's NBA basketball game against the Houston Rockets on Friday, Feb. 25, 2022, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Jacob M. Langston)
The Associated Press