Rockets defeat Magic narrowly

Houston, Oct 17 (IANS) The Houston Rockets managed to beat Orlando Magic 108-104 in their fourth pre-season basketball game at their home field, Toyota Center.

The Rockets just returned from an eight-day trip that included stops in Manila and Taipei. Head coach Kevin McHale gave some major players time to rest. Jeremy Lin went home before the game, feeling sick. Chandler Parsons took the night off, reports Xinhua.

James Harden and Dwight Howard both started and played 18 minutes each. Harden had 21 points for the fourth straight game and was 4-of-6 from three-point range. Howard had eight points and four rebounds.

Patrick Beverley, who has been sharing the starting point guard role with Lin, finished the game with 13 points and nine rebounds. Donatas Motiejunas had 14 points and eight rebounds.

Reserve Manny Harris led the Magic with 17 points on 8 of 16 shooting in 23 minutes. Andrew Nicholson finished with 15 points and nine rebounds, Aaron Afflalo added 13 points in 23 minutes, Maurice Harkless and Romero Osby had 10 apiece.

The Rockets will play again Monday when they host Dallas at the Toyota Center.