Game ID: 22400999
Houston Rockets @ Orlando Magic
Wednesday, March 19, 2025 at 7:00 PM ET
Kia Center, Orlando, FL
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Final
ORL 23 29 20 36 108HOU 28 28 32 28 116
HOU @ ORL ScoutingHOU @ ORL Scouting
Welcome to the scouting desk. The coffee is cold, the film is play-by-play, and somebody has to explain what happened.
Every game has a hinge — a stretch where it was decided, usually while everyone was watching something else. Start where the evidence lives: the Lineups' face-offs say which five actually won their minutes; the Possessions ledger says who ran ahead of the night's own pace; the Shot Chart says where the points really came from, which is rarely where the highlights were. When all three agree, that is the story. When they don't — that is why this desk has a chair.
ORL availability going into 3/10 · 1 day's restOUT Queen missed 5 since 2/27, returns tonight: 12 min (86% of 14)
BACK Harris back 3/08 after 4, 12 min since (81% of 15)
BACK Joseph back 3/02 after 2, 15 min since (111% of 13)
BACK Houstan back 3/06 after 3, 7 min since (52% of 13)
NEW Anthony 18 to 26 min over the last 4
ORL availability going into 3/13 · 2 days' restOUT Joseph missed 2 since 3/08, returns tonight: 30 min (223% of 13)
BACK Harris back 3/08 after 4, 11 min since (76% of 15)
BACK Queen back 3/10 after 5, 12 min since (86% of 14)
BACK Houstan back 3/06 after 3, 7 min since (50% of 13)
NEW Anthony 18 to 27 min over the last 4
ORL availability going into 3/14 · back-to-backBACK Harris back 3/08 after 4, 11 min since (76% of 15)
BACK Queen back 3/10 after 5, 7 min since (48% of 14)
BACK Joseph back 3/13 after 2, 30 min since (223% of 13)
BACK Houstan back 3/06 after 3, 9 min since (66% of 13)
NEW Anthony 18 to 28 min over the last 3
ORL availability going into 3/16 · 1 day's restOUT Anthony missed 2 since 3/13, returns tonight: 6 min (34% of 18)
BACK Harris back 3/08 after 4, 15 min since (98% of 15)
BACK Queen back 3/10 after 5, 7 min since (48% of 14)
BACK Joseph back 3/13 after 2, 29 min since (216% of 13)
BACK Houstan back 3/06 after 3, 12 min since (93% of 13)
ORL availability going into 3/19 · 2 days' restOUT Queen missed 2 since 3/14, out tonight
BACK Anthony back 3/16 after 2, 6 min since (34% of 18)
BACK Harris back 3/08 after 4, 16 min since (107% of 15)
BACK Joseph back 3/13 after 2, 28 min since (205% of 13)
ORL availability going into 3/21 · 1 day's restOUT Queen missed 3 since 3/14, out tonight
OUT Howard missed 2 since 3/16, returns tonight: 9 min (75% of 12)
BACK Anthony back 3/16 after 2, 6 min since (34% of 18)
BACK Joseph back 3/13 after 2, 27 min since (203% of 13)
ORL availability going into 3/24 · 2 days' restOUT Anthony missed 2 since 3/19, out tonight
OUT Queen missed 4 since 3/14, out tonight
BACK Joseph back 3/13 after 2, 26 min since (196% of 13)
BACK Howard back 3/21 after 2, 9 min since (75% of 12)
ORL availability going into 3/25 · back-to-backOUT Anthony missed 3 since 3/19, out tonight
OUT Queen missed 5 since 3/14, out tonight
BACK Howard back 3/21 after 2, 9 min since (75% of 12)
NEW Joseph 13 to 24 min over the last 5
ORL availability going into 3/27 · 1 day's restOUT Anthony missed 4 since 3/19, out tonight
OUT Queen missed 6 since 3/14, out tonight
OUT Howard missed 2 since 3/24, out tonight
NEW Joseph 13 to 22 min over the last 5
HOU availability going into 3/12 · 1 day's restOUT VanVleet missed 5 since 3/03, returns tonight: 28 min (77% of 36)
OUT Dante missed 4 since 3/04, out tonight
OUT Sheppard missed 2 since 3/08, out tonight
BACK Landale back 3/08 after 2, 4 min since (35% of 12)
HOU availability going into 3/14 · 1 day's restOUT Thompson missed 2 since 3/10, out tonight
OUT Dante missed 5 since 3/04, out tonight
OUT Sheppard missed 3 since 3/08, out tonight
BACK VanVleet back 3/12 after 5, 28 min since (77% of 36)
BACK Landale back 3/08 after 2, 6 min since (49% of 12)
HOU availability going into 3/15 · back-to-backOUT Thompson missed 3 since 3/10, out tonight
OUT Dante missed 6 since 3/04, out tonight
OUT Sheppard missed 4 since 3/08, out tonight
BACK VanVleet back 3/12 after 5, 26 min since (74% of 36)
BACK Landale back 3/08 after 2, 10 min since (86% of 12)
HOU availability going into 3/17 · 1 day's restOUT Thompson missed 4 since 3/10, out tonight
OUT Dante missed 7 since 3/04, out tonight
OUT Sheppard missed 5 since 3/08, out tonight
BACK VanVleet back 3/12 after 5, 29 min since (82% of 36)
BACK Landale back 3/08 after 2, 10 min since (86% of 12)
HOU availability going into 3/19 · 1 day's restOUT Thompson missed 5 since 3/10, out tonight
OUT Whitmore missed 2 since 3/15, out tonight
OUT Dante missed 8 since 3/04, out tonight
OUT Sheppard missed 6 since 3/08, out tonight
BACK VanVleet back 3/12 after 5, 31 min since (88% of 36)
NEW Eason 24 to 32 min over the last 4
HOU availability going into 3/21 · 1 day's restOUT Thompson missed 6 since 3/10, returns tonight: 34 min (107% of 32)
OUT Whitmore missed 3 since 3/15, out tonight
OUT Dante missed 9 since 3/04, out tonight
OUT Sheppard missed 7 since 3/08, out tonight
BACK VanVleet back 3/12 after 5, 32 min since (90% of 36)
NEW Green 33 to 38 min over the last 5
NEW Eason 24 to 32 min over the last 4
HOU availability going into 3/23 · 1 day's restOUT Whitmore missed 4 since 3/15, out tonight
OUT Dante missed 10 since 3/04, out tonight
OUT Sheppard missed 8 since 3/08, out tonight
OUT Landale missed 2 since 3/19, out tonight
OUT Tate missed 2 since 3/19, out tonight
BACK Thompson back 3/21 after 6, 34 min since (107% of 32)
NEW Eason 24 to 32 min over the last 4
HOU availability going into 3/25 · 1 day's restOUT Whitmore missed 5 since 3/15, out tonight
OUT Dante missed 11 since 3/04, out tonight
OUT Holiday missed 2 since 3/21, returns tonight: 10 min (81% of 13)
OUT Sheppard missed 9 since 3/08, out tonight
OUT Landale missed 3 since 3/19, out tonight
OUT Jef. Green missed 2 since 3/21, out tonight
OUT Tate missed 3 since 3/19, out tonight
BACK Thompson back 3/21 after 6, 33 min since (103% of 32)
HOU availability going into 3/27 · 1 day's restOUT Whitmore missed 6 since 3/15, out tonight
OUT Dante missed 12 since 3/04, out tonight
OUT Sheppard missed 10 since 3/08, out tonight
OUT Landale missed 4 since 3/19, returns tonight: 14 min (115% of 12)
OUT Jef. Green missed 3 since 3/21, out tonight
OUT Tate missed 4 since 3/19, out tonight
BACK Thompson back 3/21 after 6, 33 min since (103% of 32)
BACK Holiday back 3/25 after 2, 10 min since (81% of 13)
NEW Green 33 to 38 min over the last 5
I Know — the desk, before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Orlando comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 105 a night and allowing 104, shooting 44 percent and 37 from three, 23 free throws a game; Banchero at 31 and Wagner at 20 a game. It has lost the glass by 8 a night. 2 days' rest. Houston comes in 5-0 over its last five, scoring 120 a night and allowing 107, shooting 46 percent and 38 from three, 21 free throws a game; Green at 25 and Eason at 18 a game. That is 5 straight wins. It has won the glass by 19 a night. Without Thompson (5 straight), Whitmore (2 straight). One day's rest.
So: Houston wins, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where Houston has been plus-19 a night and Orlando minus-8. Call it Houston 110, Orlando 108, Orlando keeping it close.
3/10 @ HOU 84-97 — ORL notes
ORL lost 84-97. ORL shot 33% (28 of 86) to HOU's 39%, 8 of 32 from three, and went to the line 24 times to HOU's 18 — 20 points from the stripe to their 11. ORL turned it over 8 times to HOU's 19. The glass went 42-63 against them. Banchero led with 25 (10 of 23, 2 of 6 from three); Wagner added 15. Q4 was theirs, 22-22, but the other 3 periods went 75-62 against them. Carter Jr.'s -14 in 30 minutes was the worst on the floor.
3/13 @ NOP 113-93 — ORL notes
ORL won 113-93. ORL shot 52% (43 of 83) to NOP's 44%, 13 of 33 from three. ORL turned it over 8 times to NOP's 13. Banchero led with 34 (14 of 22, 4 of 8 from three); Wagner added 27, Caldwell-Pope 12. The hinge was Q2, 36-15: a lead of 9 became 30, and the lead reached 36. Banchero was the night's best plus/minus at +32.
3/14 @ MIN 111-118 — ORL notes
ORL lost 111-118. ORL took 9 more shots (89 to 80), but shot 45% to MIN's 52%, 12 of 28 from three, and got to the line 22 times to MIN's 28. The glass went 31-45 against them. Banchero led with 43 (16 of 32, 2 of 7 from three, 9 of 11 at the line); Houstan added 18, Wagner 16. Q3 was theirs, 29-16, turning a 4-point deficit into a 9-point lead, but the other 3 periods went 102-82 against them. They led by as many as 11. Wagner's -16 in 34 minutes was the worst on the floor.
3/16 @ CLE 108-103 — ORL notes
ORL won 108-103. ORL shot 42% (34 of 81) to CLE's 42%, 13 of 31 from three, and went to the line 34 times to CLE's 20 — 27 points from the stripe to their 13. Banchero led with 24 (6 of 22, 3 of 8 from three, 9 of 11 at the line); Wagner added 22, Black 17. The hinge was Q3, 35-23: the deficit went from 13 to 1. ORL trailed 47-60 at the half and won the second half 61-43. Harris was the night's best plus/minus at +17.
3/19 vs HOU 108-116 — ORL notes
ORL lost 108-116. ORL took 11 more shots (92 to 81), fed by 14 offensive rebounds, but shot 45% to HOU's 47%, 9 of 35 from three, and got to the line 20 times to HOU's 32. Banchero led with 31 (10 of 21, 3 of 8 from three, 8 of 8 at the line); Wagner added 20, Bitadze 19. Q4 was theirs, 36-28, the deficit cut from 16 to 8, but the other 3 periods went 88-72 against them. da Silva's -19 in 16 minutes was the worst on the floor.
3/21 @ WAS — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Washington comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 113 a night and allowing 122, shooting 45 percent and 36 from three, 19 free throws a game; Sarr at 21 and George at 13 a game. Without Coulibaly (5 straight), Brogdon (14 straight), Holmes (2 straight). One day's rest. Orlando comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 105 a night and allowing 105, shooting 43 percent and 35 from three, 24 free throws a game; Banchero at 31 and Wagner at 20 a game. It has lost the glass by 8 a night. One day's rest.
So: Orlando wins, on the road, and the game turns on the defense, Orlando allowing 105 a night to Washington's 122 and the glass, where Washington has been minus-2 a night and Orlando minus-8. Call it Orlando 111, Washington 110, Washington keeping it close.
3/24 vs LAL — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Orlando comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 112 a night and allowing 107, shooting 46 percent and 38 from three, 21 free throws a game; Banchero at 32 and Wagner at 21 a game. Without Anthony (2 straight). 2 days' rest. The Lakers come in 3-2 over their last five, scoring 111 a night and allowing 115, shooting 47 percent and 39 from three, 24 free throws a game; Dončić at 30 and Reaves at 26 a game. One day's rest.
So: Orlando wins, and the game turns on the defense, Orlando allowing 107 a night to the Lakers' 115. Call it Orlando 112, the Lakers 108, the Lakers keeping it close.
3/25 @ CHA — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Charlotte comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 103 a night and allowing 124, shooting 45 percent and 36 from three, 15 free throws a game; Ball at 20 and Bridges at 15 a game. Without Gra. Williams (55 straight), Baugh (3 straight), Okogie (26 straight). One day's rest. Orlando comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 113 a night and allowing 110, shooting 46 percent and 38 from three, 22 free throws a game; Banchero at 32 and Wagner at 22 a game. Without Anthony (3 straight). Second night of a back-to-back.
So: Orlando wins, on the road, and the game turns on the defense, Orlando allowing 110 a night to Charlotte's 124 and the line, where Orlando takes 22 free throws a game to Charlotte's 15. Call it Orlando 112, Charlotte 108, Charlotte keeping it close.
3/27 vs DAL — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Orlando comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 113 a night and allowing 107, shooting 46 percent and 35 from three, 22 free throws a game; Banchero at 29 and Wagner at 24 a game. That is 3 straight wins. It has won the glass by 5 a night. Without Anthony (4 straight). One day's rest. Dallas comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 122 a night and allowing 122, shooting 54 percent and 34 from three, 28 free throws a game; Washington at 24 and Marshall at 24 a game. Without Lively II (33 straight), Gafford (19 straight), Martin (5 straight). One day's rest.
So: Orlando wins, and the game turns on the defense, Orlando allowing 107 a night to Dallas's 122 and the line, where Dallas takes 28 free throws a game to Orlando's 22. Call it Orlando 115, Dallas 112, Dallas keeping it close.
3/12 vs PHX 111-104 — HOU notes
HOU won 111-104. HOU shot 45% (40 of 88) to PHX's 53%, 12 of 38 from three. HOU turned it over 9 times to PHX's 16. Ja. Green led with 29 (8 of 16, 3 of 6 from three, 10 of 11 at the line); Sengun added 20, Brooks 19. The hinge was Q1, 32-27: from level to 5 ahead, and the lead reached 17. Ja. Green was the night's best plus/minus at +16.
3/14 vs DAL 133-96 — HOU notes
HOU won 133-96. HOU shot 51% (54 of 105) to DAL's 41%, 15 of 31 from three. The glass went 67-34 for them. Eason led with 30 (11 of 15, 2 of 3 from three, 6 of 6 at the line); Ja. Green added 23, Sengun 16. The hinge was Q3, 37-21: a lead of 13 became 29, and the lead reached 40. Eason was the night's best plus/minus at +37.
3/15 vs CHI 117-114 — HOU notes
HOU won 117-114. HOU shot 45% (44 of 98) to CHI's 46%, 14 of 44 from three, and went to the line 26 times to CHI's 16 — 15 points from the stripe to their 14. The glass went 54-36 for them. Ja. Green led with 28 (11 of 25, 5 of 13 from three); Sengun added 24, VanVleet 23. The hinge was Q3, 25-18: HOU came in trailing by 5 and left it ahead by 2. HOU trailed 60-65 at the half and won the second half 57-49. Sengun was the night's best plus/minus at +12.
3/17 vs PHI 144-137 — HOU notes
HOU won 144-137 in 1 overtime. HOU shot 48% (51 of 107) to PHI's 51%, 22 of 53 from three. The glass went 58-35 for them. Green led with 30 (10 of 26, 5 of 17 from three); Smith Jr. added 30, Brooks 25. The hinge was Q3, 45-24: HOU came in trailing by 21 and left it level. HOU trailed 57-78 at the half and won the second half 87-59. Tate was the night's best plus/minus at +30.
3/19 @ ORL 116-108 — HOU notes
HOU won 116-108. HOU shot 47% (38 of 81) to ORL's 45%, 11 of 35 from three, and went to the line 32 times to ORL's 20 — 29 points from the stripe to their 17. J. Green led with 26 (8 of 18, 3 of 11 from three, 7 of 10 at the line); Sengun added 22, VanVleet 19. The hinge was Q3, 32-20: a lead of 4 became 16. Adams was the night's best plus/minus at +22.
3/21 @ MIA — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Miami comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 99 a night and allowing 116, shooting 46 percent and 32 from three, 15 free throws a game; Herro at 21 and Wiggins at 18 a game. That is 5 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 9 a night. Without Wiggins (2 straight), Jović (14 straight). One day's rest. Houston comes in 5-0 over its last five, scoring 124 a night and allowing 112, shooting 47 percent and 37 from three, 24 free throws a game; Green at 27 and Eason at 20 a game. That is 5 straight wins. It has won the glass by 16 a night. Without Thompson (6 straight), Whitmore (3 straight). One day's rest.
So: Houston wins, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where Houston has been plus-16 a night and Miami minus-9 and the line, where Houston takes 24 free throws a game to Miami's 15. Call it Houston 115, Miami 108.
3/23 vs DEN — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Houston comes in 5-0 over its last five, scoring 122 a night and allowing 111, shooting 48 percent and 40 from three, 23 free throws a game; Green at 23 and Eason at 18 a game. That is 5 straight wins. It has won the glass by 18 a night. Without Whitmore (4 straight). One day's rest. Denver comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 117 a night and allowing 121, shooting 49 percent and 36 from three, 24 free throws a game; Gordon at 26 and Murray at 20 a game. Without Jokić (3 straight), Strawther (10 straight). One day's rest.
So: Houston wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Houston has been plus-18 a night and Denver plus-1 and the defense, Houston allowing 111 a night to Denver's 121. Call it Houston 120, Denver 113.
3/25 vs ATL — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Houston comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 118 a night and allowing 115, shooting 46 percent and 37 from three, 27 free throws a game; Green at 24 and VanVleet at 18 a game. It has won the glass by 12 a night. Without Whitmore (5 straight). One day's rest. Atlanta comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 120 a night and allowing 116, shooting 51 percent and 39 from three, 19 free throws a game; Young at 26 and Okongwu at 18 a game. That is 3 straight wins. Without Johnson (27 straight), Capela (6 straight), Mathews (2 straight). One day's rest.
So: Houston wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Houston has been plus-12 a night and Atlanta plus-4 and the line, where Houston takes 27 free throws a game to Atlanta's 19. Call it Houston 118, Atlanta 114, Atlanta keeping it close.
3/27 @ UTA — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Utah comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 104 a night and allowing 121, shooting 44 percent and 35 from three, 18 free throws a game; Sexton at 18 and George at 14 a game. That is 3 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 6 a night. Without Collins (7 straight), Potter (2 straight). One day's rest. Houston comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 119 a night and allowing 115, shooting 46 percent and 37 from three, 28 free throws a game; Green at 25 and VanVleet at 17 a game. It has won the glass by 10 a night. Without Whitmore (6 straight). One day's rest.
So: Houston wins, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where Houston has been plus-10 a night and Utah minus-6 and the line, where Houston takes 28 free throws a game to Utah's 18. Call it Houston 117, Utah 111.
Who is who
the initials in the Players column
ORLAB A. Black
CJ C. Joseph
FW F. Wagner
GB G. Bitadze
GH G. Harris
JI J. Isaac
KC K. Caldwell-Pope
PB P. Banchero
TD T. da Silva
WC W. Carter Jr.
HOUAH A. Holiday
AS A. Sengun
DB D. Brooks
FV F. VanVleet
JG J. Green
JS J. Smith Jr.
JG Ja. Green
SA S. Adams
TE T. Eason
ORL/HOU the team itself, not a player
-- the feed named nobody
What
What happened
the codes in the Events column
M2 / M3 made 2 / made 3
X2 / X3 missed 2 / missed 3
FT / X1 free throw made / missed
AST assist
OR / DR offensive / defensive rebound
STL steal
BLK block
TO turnover
FL foul
OF offensive foul — ends the possession
VIOL violation
JUMP jump ball
TM timeout
IR instant replay
HE heave at the buzzer, filed to the team
END the clock ran out, ball in hand
Where
Where a shot came from
the middle field of M3.LW.25
RM at the rim inside 4 ft
RC right corner
RW right wing
SO straight on
LW left wing
LC left corner
M3.LW.25 made 3, left wing, 25 ft
X2.RM.01 missed 2, at the rim, 1 ft
When
When it happened
the Offset column
one number per event, in the Events order:
whole seconds from the start of the
possession to that event
Events FL X3.RC.23 OR M2.RM.01
Offset 0 18 22 24
the foul opens the possession at 0s;
the putback ends it at 24s, which is
the possession's own Dur
Green and Sengun lead Rockets to season-best 8th straight win, 116-108 over Magic
ORLANDO, Fla. -- — Jalen Green scored 26 points, Alperen Sengun had 22 points and 12 rebounds, and the Houston Rockets extended their winning streak to a season-best eight games, beating the Orlando Magic 116-108 on Wednesday night.
Fred VanVleet added 19 points for the Rockets, who maintained their second-place position in the Western Conference, ahead of — among others — the surging Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors .
Paolo Banchero led Orlando with 31 points. Franz Wagner added 20 points, eight rebounds and seven assists for the Magic, and reserve Goga Bitadze had 19 points and eight rebounds.
Takeaways Rockets: Their streak included a six-game homestand. This was only their second road win since Jan. 28.
Magic: After nine losses in 13 games and six straight defeats at home, the Magic stand eighth in the East. Banchero has averaged 33 points over the last four games.
Key moment Green and VanVleet made 3-pointers to open and close a 12-0 run late in the third quarter that left the Rockets with an 80-65 lead.
Key stat The poorest free-throw shooting team in the NBA, the Rockets made 29 of 32 (90.6%) from the foul line.