Tandem Reid Shepard – Kevin Durant destroys the Magic!

The first quarter sets the general tone of the match, with plenty of contact and fouls. These two teams are competing and there is no doubt that this match will be physical.

It took two award-winning baskets by Desmond Bain to give the Magic the lead after the first twelve minutes (29-22). The Rockets are clumsy from long range and are denied second chances. Additionally, they are not taking advantage of the “mismatch” on the floor, while Orlando is fielding a fairly small five, with Jevon Carter, Jalen Suggs and Anthony Black. Desmond Bain continues to miss nothing at 3-pointers, and the deficit was made at the break (53-43).

That was confirmed after returning from the locker room with a solid Florida team. He doesn’t let Kevin Durant and company breathe. Then everything will come crashing down. Reed Sheppard finds the target on a 3-pointer and gives Houston a breather it has been missing so much. Magic doesn’t score anymore and with the wind at their backs, plus the playmaker’s winning shots, the Rockets go 21-0! Everything must be done again for Jamal Mosley’s troops.

A new match begins, and the start of the fourth quarter is a shooting contest. Desmond Bane is still skilled, Kevin Durant is still brilliant, but the Magic falter in the final moments, missing shots or losing an important possession in the final minute. Reid Shepherd doesn’t blink, with two more awarded shots, and Houston wins 108-113.

WHAT TO REMEMBER

– 21-0 in the third quarter. This is clearly the turning point of the meeting. The Magic boat seemed solid, as they took an advantage of as many as 19 points and with a perfect performance to contain the Rockets’ strength. Then the iceberg arrived, with this series of several minutes and this 21-0 conceded. Of course, he’s not the only one responsible, Jalen Suggs did play a part in this collapse by dropping three balls (the same three, on a punt) during the drive, which allowed the Texans to run. Everything had to be redone for Orlando then, and everything was possible for Houston.

– Desmond Bain is too alone against Reed Shepard and Kevin Durant. The Magic guard is in very good form right now and with 30 points on 6/10 3-point shooting, he proved it again. Except that there were customers across the street. Kevin Durant had 40 points, including 26 after halftime, and Reed Shepard had 20 points, including 17 in the second half. The latter sparked the Rockets and with two scorers in such good form, Houston managed to make the difference when the former Memphis player found himself a little on his own to boost the score.

– Houston continues, Orlando lets go. This third straight win for the Rockets is important as it allows them to keep pace with the Nuggets and Wolves. For the Magic, since Philadelphia won this Thursday night for the third time in a row, we are losing ground a little bit in sixth place in the Eastern Conference.

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How to read statistics? Min = Minute; Shots = Shots Successful / Shots Attempted; 3 points = 3 points / attempt 3 points; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive jump; T = Total number of jumps; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal mistakes; Int = intercepts; Bp = lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Difference of points when the player is on the field; Points = Points; Rating: player rating calculated based on positive actions – negative actions.