James Harden scores 54 points, Rockets rout Magic 130-107

James Harden scored 54 points, hitting 10 of 15 3-pointers and 19 of 31 shots overall, in the Houston Rockets' 130-107 victory over the Orlando Magic on Friday night.

Harden scored 50 or more for the fifth time this season and the fourth time in the last seven games. On Wednesday night, he also made 10 3-pointers and had 55 points in a victory over Cleveland.

He also had seven assists, five rebounds and two steals in 36 minutes.

Houston Rockets guard James Harden, left, passes the ball behind his head as Orlando Magic forward Jonathan Isaac (1) blocks his way to the basket during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Dec. 13, 2019, in Orlando, Fla. (AP PhotoJohn Raoux)

Russell Westbrook added 23 points for Houston. The Rockets were 22 of 39 from 3-point range.

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

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

Houston Rockets guard Russell Westbrook (0) moves the ball against the Orlando Magic during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Dec. 13, 2019, in Orlando, Fla. (AP PhotoJohn Raoux)

TIP-INS:

Rockets: Beat the Magic for the 12th time in the last 15 meetings. … Holds four of the top five spots for most made 3-pointers by a team 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.

Orlando Magic's Aaron Gordon (00) makes a move to get around Houston Rockets forward Danuel House Jr. (4) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Dec. 13, 2019, in Orlando, Fla. (AP PhotoJohn Raoux)

UP NEXT:

Rockets: Host Detroit on Saturday night.

Magic: At New Orleans on Sunday.

Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) shoots over Orlando Magic center Khem Birch (24) during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Dec. 13, 2019, in Orlando, Fla. (AP PhotoJohn Raoux)

Houston Rockets center Isaiah Hartenstein, right, looks to shoot as he gets in front of Orlando Magic center Mo Bamba during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Dec. 13, 2019, in Orlando, Fla. (AP PhotoJohn Raoux)

Houston Rockets guard Austin Rivers (25) shoots over Orlando Magic guard D.J. Augustin (14) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Dec. 13, 2019, in Orlando, Fla. (AP PhotoJohn Raoux)

Houston Rockets' Russell Westbrook (0) goes to the basket past Orlando Magic's Michael Carter-Williams (7) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Dec. 13, 2019, in Orlando, Fla. (AP PhotoJohn Raoux)

Houston Rockets' Ben McLemore (16) drives around Orlando Magic's D.J. Augustin (14) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Dec. 13, 2019, in Orlando, Fla. (AP PhotoJohn Raoux)

VADODARA, India (AP) — India captain Shubman Gill won the coin toss and opted to field first against New Zealand in the first one-day international cricket match on Sunday.

The Baroda Cricket Association is hosting its first-ever men’s ODI. Rajkot (Jan. 14) and Indore (Jan. 18) will host the second and third games of this three-match series.

Gill returned to the helm after missing the ODI series against South Africa in December.

India has opted for six bowlers – three pacers and two spin all-rounders along with wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav.

Star batters Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli also return to the international fold, after playing domestic List-A cricket.

Shreyas Iyer has recovered from a spleen injury sustained against Australia in October. He returns to the side after a two-month hiatus and will bat at number four.

Wicketkeeper batter Rishabh Pant has been ruled out of the series with an abdominal strain he sustained whilst playing for Delhi in domestic List-A cricket. Dhruv Jurel has been called up as his replacement.

For New Zealand, medium pacer Kristian Clarker makes his ODI debut, while 23-year-old wrist spinner Adithya Ashok is its lead spin bowler.

The Black Caps come into this series on the back of some good form – not losing a single ODI in 2025.

The pitch for the first-ever international game at the BCA Stadium should suit batters. It is a black soil pitch which could exhibit variable bounce through the day. Evening dew will aid the chasing side.

Line ups:

New Zealand: Devon Conway, Henry Nicholls, Will Young, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Hay, Michael Bracewell (captain), Zakary Foulkes, Kristian Clarke, Kyle Jamieson, Adithya Ashok.

India: Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Harshit Rana, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna.

AP cricket: https://apnews.com/hub/cricket

New Zealand's captan Michael Bracewell gestures during practice session ahead of first One Day International cricket match against India in Vadodara, India, Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Ajit Solanki)

India's captain Shubman Gill during a practice session ahead of the first One Day International cricket match against New Zealand in Vadodara, India, Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Ajit Solanki)