Houston Rockets at Orlando Magic

Sizzling James Harden hits 10 3s, scores 54 as Rockets rout Magic

"I just want to win," Harden said simply. "Whatever it takes."

Harden scored 50 or more for the fifth time this season and the fourth time in his past seven games. The rest of the NBA has combined for only five such games this season.

Harden was 10-of-15 from long range and 19-of-31 overall from the field. He also had seven assists, five rebounds and two steals in 36 minutes, receiving a loud ovation from the Orlando crowd when he headed to the bench in the final minutes.

"I feel like we lost against just him tonight," Magic guard Evan Fournier said. "He's the MVP for a reason. We talked about in pregame that he'll take shots, and we'll just live with the results. He did not miss tonight, period."

Harden set the Houston record for 3-pointers with 10 in 18 attempts Wednesday night in a 55-point game in a victory at Cleveland.

"When he's shooting over the top like that, I don't know what you can do," Orlando coach Steve Clifford said.

Russell Westbrook added 23 points for Houston. The Rockets were 22-of-39 from 3-point range, setting a record for the most 3-pointers by any Magic opponent in franchise history.

The Rockets pulled away in the second quarter, with Harden scoring 18 points, including Houston's last 11 for a 59-49 lead.

Fournier led Orlando with 27 points. Aaron Gordon added 21. The Magic have lost three straight after winning four in a row.

TIP-INS:

Rockets: Beat the Magic for the 12th time in the past 15 meetings. ... Hold four of the top five spots for most made 3-pointers by a team this season. ... D'Antoni said he assumes his team will play Saturday without Westbrook, who sat out the second game of both of Houston's previous back-to-backs this season.

Magic: Orlando was without C Nikola Vucevic for the 11th consecutive game because of a right ankle injury. ... G Markelle Fultz returned after missing Wednesday's game against the Los Angeles Lakers with a stomach virus. ... The Magic held their annual charity golf tournament Thursday to benefit the Orlando Magic Youth Foundation. More than $200,000 was raised.

UP NEXT

Rockets: Host Detroit on Saturday night.

Magic: At New Orleans on Sunday.

Regular Season Series

HOU leads series 1-0