Check out five reasons to tune in to the League Pass Game of the Day featuring Houston and Orlando.
The Houston Rockets (39-25) and Orlando Magic (30-35) have been sliding down the standings in the second half, but both teams need to find some rhythm heading into the fast-approaching postseason. This is their first matchup this season, with these teams splitting the last three season series against one another. (8 ET, League Pass).
Here are five things to know before tipoff:
- Orlando is looking for success on this road trip: Orlando kickstarted this five-game road trip with one of its biggest wins of the season on Saturday. The Magic pulled off a 111-109 win against the Milwaukee Bucks, snapping a five-game losing streak in that upset victory. The recent slide has moved the Magic to eighth in the Eastern Conference but they’re only 0.5 games behind the Atlanta Hawks in seventh.
- Houston is looking to maintain homecourt in the opening round of the playoffs: The Rockets were second in the Western Conference just last month, but they’ve fallen to fifth in recent weeks. Houston has lost 10 of its last 16 games in total, but have won their two most recent outings. Both of those were against the New Orleans Pelicans, with the Rockets dropping a season-high 146 points in the most recent victory on Saturday.
- Paolo Banchero is scorching right now: The first-time All-Star was struggling in his return from an oblique strain, but that’s a thing of the past. Banchero is averaging 28.3 points, 6.6 rebounds and 4.5 assists across his last 11 outings. That’s the type of form Orlando needs to see for the rest of the season if they want to advance in the playoffs.
- Who’s going to step up for the Rockets?: Amen Thompson has been one of the best players in the NBA since entering the starting lineup, averaging 16 points, 9.7 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.5 blocks in this newfound role. It’s scary to see a sophomore do that because many believe Thompson is also one of the best defensive players in the league.
With that said, he had to leave the most recent outing on Saturday with an ankle injury, and it’s unclear how much time he’ll miss. He did leave the arena in a boot and on crutches, so it’s unlikely that he’s able to suit up here. Thompson was already filling a Fred VanVleet (ankle) void, but filling that Thompson void may be impossible. Look for Alperen Sengun to do everything for this offense in their absences, averaging 19.3 points, 10.4 rebounds, 4.9 assists and 1.2 steals in a breakout season.
- Split series over the last three years: These teams always play each other twice a year and they’ve split the last three season series against one another. With that said, Houston has a 17-7 record in its last 24 matchups with Orlando since 2013. They also play again next week, with these clubs squaring off in Orlando on March 19.
