Magic vs. Rockets Game Thread

As if facing the Rockets isn't challenging enough, the Magic will have to do it without Aaron Gordon.

Gordon will miss the game due to a strained left hip flexor. In addition to being the Magic's leading scorer at 18.4 points per game, Gordon also would have been responsible for helping to contain the dynamic James Harden.

Frank Vogel told reporters that being without Gordon is a big loss.

"But we're going to be focused on the guys that are in uniform, and we have an opportunity to get one of our best wins of the season," he said. "We won at Boston last week. We beat Minnesota recently. So we have an opportunity to win a third game against a top-seven or -eight team within two weeks. That's what we're going for."

The Magic head to Houston in need of a win after dropping their previous two games: a home loss to the Kings and a demoralizing loss to the Pacers, in which the Magic once led by 21 points.

They'll face a Rockets team that currently has the second best record in the league behind the Warriors. As Preston Ellis mentioned in the Do You Believe in Magic? Podcast, the Rockets are 20-1 when they have Harden, Chris Paul and Clint Capela in the lineup. The Rockets could however be without Paul, who is listed as questionable for the Magic game after leaving the previous game early with right groin soreness. Houston will also be without Trevor Ariza, who suffered a hamstring strain and will be replaced in the lineup by Gerald Green.

Tip-off is set for 8 p.m. Eastern at the Toyota Center in Houston. Join the conversation below!