HOUSTON – The Orlando Magic were beaten 97-84 on Monday night by the Houston Rockets after Jabari Smith Jr. gained 20 points and tied a career high with five 3-pointers, helping the Rockets get their third consecutive victory
Alperen Sengun had 14 points and 14 rebounds for Houston, and Steven Adams finished with 11 points and 17 boards.
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Paolo Banchero led Orlando with 25 points. Franz Wagner had 15 points, and Wendell Carter Jr. grabbed 12 rebounds.
The Magic closed to 65-58 on Wagner's layup with 5:04 left in the third quarter. But Jeff Green and Dillon Brooks made consecutive 3-pointers to make it 71-58 with 2:47 to go.
Banchero made two free throws, but the Rockets scored the next four points. Aaron Holiday's 3-pointer made it 75-60 with 26 seconds to go.
Brooks finished with 17 points.
Takeaways
Magic: Orlando was unable to build on its win over Milwaukee, which snapped a five-game skid. It dropped 10-22 since Jan. 1.
Rockets: Houston used a balanced scoring attack to help make up for starters Amen Thompson and Fred VanVleet sitting out with ankle injuries.
Key moment
Brooks and Sengun each made a 3 to help the Rockets open a 95-77 lead with 3:01 left.
Key stat
The Rockets made 16 3-pointers, compared to just eight by Orlando.
Up next
Houston hosts Phoenix on Wednesday night, and Orlando visits New Orleans on Thursday night.
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AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba