The Orlando Magic defeated the Houston Rockets 116-86 on opening night at Amway Center on October 25, 2023. The Magic's 30-point win is the largest margin of victory in an opening-night game in team history.
Cole Anthony led the Magic with 20 points and eight rebounds. Franz Wagner added 17 points, and Paolo Banchero finished with 12 points, five rebounds, and five assists. The Magic's bench outscored the Rockets' reserves 59-27.
The Rockets were led by Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks, who each scored 14 points. However, the Rockets struggled to take care of the ball, committing 19 turnovers.
The Magic's Defense Dominates
The Magic's defense was the key to their victory over the Rockets. Orlando held Houston to just 32 points in the paint and out-rebounded the Rockets 56-31.
Jonathan Isaac, who made his first regular-season appearance since February 2022, was a force on defense for the Magic. He blocked three shots and altered several others.
"Our mindset is just how are we moving forward? Can we keep that level of intensity and focus the entire 48 (minutes)?" Isaac said after the game.
The Magic's defense also forced the Rockets into 19 turnovers. Orlando converted those turnovers into 25 points.
The Magic Share the Ball
The Magic were also impressed with their ball movement on offense. Orlando finished the game with 30 assists on 43 made field goals.
Anthony and Banchero were the Magic's primary playmakers. Anthony had seven assists, while Banchero had five assists.
"We're moving the ball really well," Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley said. "We're finding the open man, and we're making shots. That's what we want to do."
The Rockets Struggle
The Rockets had a disappointing season opener. Houston struggled to take care of the ball and defend the paint.
The Rockets also struggled to get their new free-agent signings involved in the offense. VanVleet and Brooks each scored 14 points, but they combined to shoot just 10-for-28 from the field.
Rockets head coach Stephen Silas said that his team needs to improve in a number of areas.
"We have to take care of the ball better," Silas said. "We have to defend the paint better. And we have to get our new guys involved in the offense. It's going to take some time for us to come together, but I'm confident that we will."
What's Next for the Magic?
The Magic will look to build on their momentum when they host the New Orleans Pelicans on October 28. The Pelicans are a young and talented team, but the Magic will be confident coming off of their season-opening victory.
The Magic have a number of young players who are poised to make a big impact this season. Anthony, Wagner, and Banchero are all expected to take a step forward. If the Magic can stay healthy and continue to play good defense, they could be a surprise team in the Eastern Conference this season.
What's Next for the Rockets?
The Rockets will look to bounce back from their season-opening loss when they travel to take on the San Antonio Spurs on October 28. The Spurs are a rebuilding team, but the Rockets will need to play better if they want to win.
The Rockets will need to find a way to get their new free-agent signings more involved in the offense. VanVleet and Brooks are both talented players, but they struggled in their Rockets debut.
The Rockets also need to improve their defense. Houston allowed the Magic to score 116 points and shoot 52% from the field.
The Rockets are in a rebuilding phase, but they have a number of talented young players. If the Rockets can develop their young players and stay healthy, they could be a competitive team in the Western Conference in the next few years.
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