Kevin Durant scored a season-high 40 points, including 26 in the second half, to lead the Houston Rockets to a 113-108 comeback victory over the Orlando Magic at the Kia Center on Thursday, February 26.
Orlando jumped out to a 19-point lead behind Desmond Bane, who made all five of his 3-pointers in the first half, and Paolo Banchero, who added 19 points, nine assists and eight rebounds. Houston trailed 76-57 with just over five minutes left in the third quarter.
The Rockets responded with a 21-0 run over three and a half minutes, fueled by Reed Sheppard’s five three-pointers in the second half and eleven points down the stretch, giving Houston a one-point lead. Durant added seven straight points and assisted Alperen Sengun’s layup to put Houston ahead 101-100 with just over three minutes remaining.
Durant finished 14 of 28 from the field and added eight rebounds and three assists, while Sheppard scored 20 off the bench. Sengun contributed 16 points, six boards and five assists, helping Houston shoot 52% overall and 38% from three-point range after a slow start.
The Magic were led by Bane with 30 points and Banchero’s near triple-double performance. Jalen Suggs returned from the bench for the first time this season, scoring three points in 13 minutes after missing three games due to back spasms. Orlando made 45% of their shots and 41% from beyond the arc.
Houston improves to 37-21 with its third straight win, while Orlando falls to 31-27 and remains in the middle of the Eastern Conference standings. The Rockets play the Miami Heat on Saturday and host Detroit on Sunday against the Magic.
#Durant #drops #points #Rockets #erase #19point #deficit #beat #Magic #TalkBasket.net