Rookie guard Jalen Green continued his run of strong efficiency, but it wasn’t enough for the Rockets in Friday’s 119-111 loss (box score) at Orlando. Houston has now lost eight consecutive games overall.
The result was arguably more important from the perspective of 2022 NBA draft odds. With the victory, the Magic (14-47) only have one less win than the rebuilding Rockets (15-44) in the race for the NBA’s worst record and the best potential odds related to 2022 draft positioning.
Green led Houston with 23 points and 4 steals on 9-of-16 shooting (56.3%), including 4-of-9 on 3-pointers (44.4%), but backcourt mate Kevin Porter Jr. shot just 2-of-10 (20.0%) and only played 21 minutes due to a left ankle injury. Head coach Stephen Silas said postgame that he did yet not know the severity. Big man Christian Wood had 21 points and 11 rebounds, though he made only 3-of-13 free throws (23.1%).
Jalen Green in February (9 games):
17 PPG
2.7 APG
2.3 RPG
48% FG (54-113)
42% 3P (25-60)
61% TS— Roosh (@RooshWilliams) February 26, 2022
Chuma Okeke scored 26 points off the bench for Orlando, including a dagger 3-pointer in the closing minutes to put the game away. Overall, Okeke hit 5-of-7 shots (71.4%) from 3-point range.
On the interior, Wendell Carter Jr. added 24 points and 12 rebounds for the Magic on 9-of-11 shooting (81.8%), and his 5-of-7 night (71.4%) from the free-throw line was a significant improvement relative to Wood.
Scroll on for highlights and analysis from Friday’s game in Orlando, as well as postgame interviews and media/fan reaction.