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 Reserve swingman Corey Brewer and forward Josh Smith provided energy
and production when it was sorely needed, leading Houston to a
107-94 win over the Orlando Magic on Tuesday night at Toyota Center.
Brewer and Smith combined to score 15 of the Rockets' 18 points
during one critical stretch bridging the third and fourth quarters,
erasing the largest deficit of the game while shaking Houston
(45-22) from its lethargy. Brewer posted a double-double (13 points,
a season-high 12 rebounds), and Smith added 17 points, five boards
and two blocks.
"You know what? That's the beauty of this team," Harden said. "You
got six guys in double figures. That means the ball is moving around
and that means guys are getting good shots. No matter if I struggle
or not, we still win and that's a great thing."
Magic guard Victor Oladipo poured in a game-high 29 points and
claimed his individual matchup with Harden, who had 17 points, eight
boards and three steals but missed 10 of 14 attempts. But even with
Harden scuffling, Houston had the depth to stifle the spry Magic
(21-48).
Rockets forwards Donatas Motiejunas and Trevor Ariza combined for 40
points (on 15-for-23 shooting), 12 rebounds and nine assists, while
guard Patrick Beverley chipped in 12 points and a game-high seven
assists despite being a game-time decision with right elbow
bursitis.
"Other guys stepped up and hit some big shots for them," Oladipo
said. "We did a great job on Harden. In order to have a chance to
beat that team, that is what you have to do. Credit the other guys;
they stepped up and played well."
The primary advantage Houston held in the first half, points in the
paint, shifted in favor of the Magic in the third quarter. With
stunning ease Orlando penetrated the lane on offense, accumulating a
series of driving layups and easy dunks that helped erase a
six-point deficit.
The Rockets led 56-50 on a Motiejunas free throw with 10:56 left in
the third before the Magic pulled even with a 10-4 run capped by an
Oladipo steal and transition dunk at the 8:11 mark. Orlando kept
scoring inside, and by the close of the period nearly matched its 20
first-half paint points with 18 en route to a 78-71 lead with 35.1
second left.
Smith followed with a pair of timely 3-pointers: a corner trey with
26.4 seconds left and a buzzer-beater as the third quarter came to a
close. Suddenly that seven-point deficit was whittled to 78-77, and
the Rockets carried that momentum into the fourth period with a 15-4
run.
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"We saw the momentum shifting. They looked like they thought that
had something going and we were able to cut the deficit to one,"
Smith said. "It was big for us to do that."
Magic center Nikola Vucevic recorded his 39th double-double (11
points, 11 rebounds), while rookie guard Elfrid Payton added 10
points and seven assists. In the fourth quarter, Orlando shot just 7
for 19 and Oladipo was the only starter who scored over the final 12
minutes.
"We have to find ways to get baskets at the end," Payton said. "Get
some easy ones, get to the free-throw line or just something. We
have to find a way, somebody."
NOTES: Rockets F Terrence Jones was held out of the starting lineup
for what he described as a "personal issue." Joey Dorsey started in
place of Jones, who played 30 minutes and finished with six points
and three rebounds. ... Despite taking 44.7 percent of his shots
from the field within three feet of the rim, Magic G Victor Oladipo
is averaging just 4.3 free throw attempts per game. By contrast,
Rockets G James Harden is averaging 9.8 foul shots while attempting
only 31.0 percent of his shots from the floor inside three feet.
Oladipo could learn a thing or two watching Harden ply his craft,
Magic coach James Borrego said. "I encourage Vic to watch all the
greats, and Harden is one of the best," Borrego said. ... Rockets G
Patrick Beverley started despite battling right elbow bursitis. His
primary backup, Jason Terry, is slowed by a sore hamstring, which
opened the door for Pablo Prigioni to play 11 minutes.
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