Magic give valiant effort, but lose vs. Rockets in overtime

The Orlando Magic are catching their breath after a loss to the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center.

The Magic held the lead throughout almost the entire game, but the Rockets were always in the rearview mirror. Late in the fourth quarter, the Rockets pounced and tied the game at 100 with 21 seconds to go.

Desmond Bane drove to the basket to try and break the tie for the Magic, but a block from Alperen Sengun that went off the Magic's fingertips gave the Rockets one last chance with 5.3 seconds left in the game. On the final possession, Sengun tried to inbound to Durant, but it was stolen by Anthony Black, who ran to the basket for a dunk and was fouled in the process.

With 1.3 seconds to go, the Rockets heaved one last shot, where Sengun tied things up to go to overtime on a buzzer-beater that was defended in the post by Jonathan Isaac.

Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun attempts to control the ball as Orlando Magic center Wendell Carter Jr. defends | Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

Magic nearly beat Rockets without Banchero, Suggs

In overtime, the Magic had clutch buckets from Bane and Black, but the Rockets stayed the course and took a three-point lead with less than 10 seconds to go.

The Magic had one final attempt to tie the game, but Wendell Carter Jr. was fouled before the team could get a shot up. Carter Jr. made the first free throw, but he intentionally missed the second and committed a lane violation.

The Magic were led by Franz Wagner, who scored 29 points. Bane had 26, while Black scored 18, Carter Jr. posted 15 and Tristan da Silva added 13.

The Rockets had a game-high 35 from Durant while Sengun scored 30. Reed Sheppard scored 16 off the bench while Amen Thompson dropped 12. Jabari Smith Jr. and Aaron Holiday scored 10 points apiece.

It was a valiant effort for the Magic, who were playing shorthanded on the road against one of the best teams in the league, but it is still a loss nonetheless.

The Magic are back in action on Tuesday against Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET inside the Kia Center.

Magic nearly beat Rockets without Banchero, Suggs

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