Rockets and Magic Clash in Orlando
The Houston Rockets take on the Orlando Magic at Amway Center on Sunday evening.

The Rockets (14-42) have endured as miserable a season as their record implies, and they'll check into Sunday's contest in the midst of a five-game losing streak and a skid that's seen them drop 10 of their last 11 contests overall. Their most recent stumble came Friday night, when they fell to the Denver Nuggets by a 128-99 score. Kelly Olynyk led the Rockets with 23 points, adding six rebounds, two assists and one block. Jae'Sean Tate followed with 21 points, five rebounds, five assists and two steals. Christian Wood provided 15 points, three rebounds and one assist. John Wall supplied 10 points, two assists and one rebound.

The Rockets will be without Wall (rest), D.J. Augustin (ankle), Sterling Brown (knee), Danuel House (ankle), David Nwaba (wrist), Dante Exum (calf) and Eric Gordon (groin) for Sunday's game.

The Magic (18-38) have almost been an Eastern Conference version of their opponent, as they've also struggled throughout most of the campaign and enter Sunday's clash with a 1-7 mark over their last eight games. Their most recent defeat came at the hands of the Toronto Raptors, which defeated them by a 113-102 score Friday night despite Toronto playing without four starters. Wendell Carter, Jr. led the way for the Magic with 20 points, complementing them with nine rebounds, one assist and one block. Cole Anthony registered 19 points, seven boards and five assists. Chuma Okeke provided 14 points, three assists, two rebounds and one steal. Dwayne Bacon totaled 12 points, three rebounds and one assist.

The Magic will be without Michael Carter-Williams (ankle) and Otto Porter (foot) for Sunday's game. Mo Bamba (hip) will carry a questionable tag.

Sunday's game marks the second and final meeting between the teams this season. The Rockets hold a 1-0 series lead, having notched a 132-90 win Jan. 8.
Posted on: 4/17/2021 9:54 PM