The Houston Rockets (39-24) were overwhelmed and never competitive on Sunday night in a stunning 126-106 home loss (box score) against the Orlando Magic (29-35). They trailed by 25 at halftime.
It’s the fourth straight defeat for the Rockets, who fell to the No. 6 seed in the Western Conference after the loss. Of the four losses, three have been by double digits, and three to teams with losing records.
Russell Westbrook led the Rockets with 24 points (9-of-19 shooting) and eight rebounds, but he was seemingly so frustrated by the performance that he left Toyota Center without speaking to reporters. Fellow MVP winner James Harden had 23 points on just 6-of-19 shooting (31.6%).
Collectively, the Rockets made just 9-of-28 shots (28.1%) from 3-point range, and they allowed 71 points to the Magic in only the first half.
Russell Westbrook left before Mike D’Antoni’s postgame press conference ended
— Adam Spolane (@AdamSpolane) March 9, 2020
After the game, head coach Mike D’Antoni referred to it as “rock bottom,” though he expressed confidence that the team would find its way out of the slump. When told of D’Antoni’s characterization, Harden agreed.
Coach D’Antoni called this “rock bottom.” Said it started with lack of energy in NY, came up against a great Clippers team and now the team is questioning everything.
Says he knows the fans are frustrated, but it will get better. Team will come out on the other side. #Rockets
— Cayleigh Griffin (@cayleighgriffin) March 9, 2020
James Harden asked if this is rock bottom for the #Rockets: “Yes, yep..We’re not really worried, just frustrating. Seems like it’s all going bad. Only way you get out of it is keep pushing through.”
(Asked if it feels weird out there?) “Yes, very strange.” pic.twitter.com/a9XrjomwcG— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) March 9, 2020
The Magic out-rebounded the smaller Rockets by 11, and they had six players in double figures — headlined by 24 points from reserve guard D.J. Augustin in just 27 minutes. Augustin shot 7-of-10 from the field (70.0%), including 4-of-6 on 3-pointers (66.7%).
Frontcourt starters Nikola Vucevic and Aaron Gordon combined for 35 points and 26 rebounds against the undersized Rockets, led by Robert Covington and 6-foot-5 P.J. Tucker up front.
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Without citing specifics, D’Antoni said postgame that the Rockets were “questioning everything” — though he clarified that he expects them to find the answers. The current four-game losing streak ties Houston’s worst of the 2019-20 season, which they previously did in January.
Mike D’Antoni: “Eight days ago we were rolling and then all of the sudden the bottom fell out. We’re searching a little bit for answers and we’ll find them.” pic.twitter.com/vj7gMXHko8
— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) March 9, 2020
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In desperate need of a win to snap the losing streak, Houston returns to action on Tuesday at Toyota Center against another struggling opponent in the Minnesota Timberwolves (19-44). Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. Central.
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The Rockets' past 4 games against the Knicks, Clippers, Hornets and Magic:
♦️ 0-4 record
♦️ 42% FG
♦️ 29% 3-pt FG
♦️ -11.5 PPG differential pic.twitter.com/i0xCJ8JNVE— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) March 9, 2020