Fred VanVleet scores season-high 37 on Orlando as Rockets finish magical home season in style

Apr 9, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Rockets guard Fred VanVleet (5) makes a layup against the Orlando Magic during the first quarter at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-USA TODAY Sports

HOUSTON — In their home finale of the 2023-24 season, Rockets guard Fred VanVleet made sure the fans went home happy in Tuesday’s 118-106 win (box score) over the visiting Orlando Magic.

VanVleet finished with a season-high 37 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists while shooting 13-of-22 from the field (59.1%), 6-of-11 on 3-pointers (54.5%), and 5-of-6 on free throws (83.3%). Jabari Smith Jr. chipped in with 23 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 blocks while making 9-of-17 shots (52.9%) and 3-of-5 from 3-point range (60.0%).

Houston finished this season’s Toyota Center slate with an impressive 27-14 mark, which currently represents the fifth-most home wins of any Western Conference team. It’s the most home wins by the Rockets since the 2018-19 season, when Houston featured a veteran-laden roster led by James Harden and Chris Paul.

With wins in two of their last three games — at Utah, Portland, and the Los Angeles Clippers — the Rockets (39-40) would finish at .500, and they would have a winning record if they can win them all. They are already eliminated from 2024 postseason contention.

Rising star Paolo Banchero led Orlando with 21 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists, but he had four turnovers and was decidedly less efficient than his second-year counterpart, Smith. Banchero made just 7-of-19 shots (36.8%) and missed all five of his 3-pointers.

With the loss, Orlando (46-33) drops into a tie for the No. 4 spot in the Eastern Conference standings with three games left to play.

Here’s our look back at Tuesday’s highlights and postgame interviews, along with reaction by media members and fans. Next up for Houston is a three-game road trip to finish the regular season, starting with Thursday’s game at Utah (29-49). Tipoff is at 8:00 p.m. Central.

This article originally appeared on Rockets Wire: Fred VanVleet scores season-high 37 on Orlando as Rockets finish magical home season in style