Orlando forward Caleb Houstan warms up before the Magic’s victory over Washington on Wednesday night during which he scored 9 points. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
For Caleb Houstan, making the most out of each and every opportunity he earns on the court is key for him to seeing more time for the Magic (13-5).
A 3-and-D forward who’s recorded at least one steal twice while shooting nearly 43% (6 of 14) from distance before Wednesday night’s game, the second-year pro has done just that and more for Orlando in 11 limited appearances off the bench so far this season, including Wednesday when he scored 9 points on 3-for-3 beyond the arc in a 139-120 victory over Washington for an 8th straight Orlando win.
Five Magic players scored in double figures, led by Franz Wagner’s 31 points.
Orlando forward Franz Wagner (right) drives through Washington forward Deni Avdija (8) during the Washington Wizards at Orlando Magic NBA game at the Amway Center on Wednesday, November 29, 2023. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Orlando forward Paolo Banchero (5) controls the ball beside Washington forward Kyle Kuzma (right) during the Washington Wizards at Orlando Magic NBA game at the Amway Center on Wednesday, November 29, 2023. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Orlando forward Paolo Banchero (5) drives for a basket between Washington center Daniel Gafford (21) and Washington forward Kyle Kuzma (right) during the Washington Wizards at Orlando Magic NBA game at the Amway Center on Wednesday, November 29, 2023. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Orlando fans cheer during the Washington Wizards at Orlando Magic NBA game at the Amway Center on Wednesday, November 29, 2023. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Orlando forward Franz Wagner shoots a three point shot during the Washington Wizards at Orlando Magic NBA game at the Amway Center on Wednesday, November 29, 2023. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Orlando center Goga Bitadze, left, shoots past Washington center Daniel Gafford (right) during the Washington Wizards at Orlando Magic NBA game at the Amway Center on Wednesday, November 29, 2023. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Orlando head coach Jamahl Mosley signals during the Washington Wizards at Orlando Magic NBA game at the Amway Center on Wednesday, November 29, 2023. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Orlando guard Cole Anthony scores during the Washington Wizards at Orlando Magic NBA game at the Amway Center on Wednesday, November 29, 2023. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Magic players and coaches gather during a timeout during the Washington Wizards at Orlando Magic NBA game at the Amway Center on Wednesday, November 29, 2023. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Orlando forward Paolo Banchero celebrates after a basket during the Washington Wizards at Orlando Magic NBA game at the Amway Center on Wednesday, November 29, 2023. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Orlando center Goga Bitadze reacts during the Washington Wizards at Orlando Magic NBA game at the Amway Center on Wednesday, November 29, 2023. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Fans cheer during the Washington Wizards at Orlando Magic NBA game at the Amway Center on Wednesday, November 29, 2023. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Orlando guard Jalen Suggs dribbles during the Washington Wizards at Orlando Magic NBA game at the Amway Center on Wednesday, November 29, 2023. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Orlando player Goga Bitadze slam dunks during the Washington Wizards at Orlando Magic NBA game at the Amway Center on Wednesday, November 29, 2023. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Orlando guard Jalen Suggs (right) reaches for the ball behind Washington guard Jordan Poole (left) during the Washington Wizards at Orlando Magic NBA game at the Amway Center on Wednesday, November 29, 2023. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Orlando guard Jalen Suggs (4) fouls Washington guard Jordan Poole (13) during the Washington Wizards at Orlando Magic NBA game at the Amway Center on Wednesday, November 29, 2023. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Orlando forward Franz Wagner (right) drives through Washington forward Deni Avdija (8) during the Washington Wizards at Orlando Magic NBA game at the Amway Center on Wednesday, November 29, 2023. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Orlando center Goga Bitadze (35), Washington forward Kyle Kuzma (right) and Washington guard Bilal Coulibaly (middle) battle for a rebound during the Washington Wizards at Orlando Magic NBA game at the Amway Center on Wednesday, November 29, 2023. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Orlando forward Caleb Houstan warms up before the Washington Wizards at Orlando Magic NBA game at the Amway Center on Wednesday, November 29, 2023. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Orlando forward Caleb Houstan warms up before the Washington Wizards at Orlando Magic NBA game at the Amway Center on Wednesday, November 29, 2023. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
The Washington Wizards gather before the Washington Wizards at Orlando Magic NBA game at the Amway Center on Wednesday, November 29, 2023. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Orlando coach Jamahl Mosley yells during the Washington Wizards at Orlando Magic NBA game at the Amway Center on Wednesday, November 29, 2023. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Orlando guard Anthony Black leaps during the Washington Wizards at Orlando Magic NBA game at the Amway Center on Wednesday, November 29, 2023. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Orlando guard Anthony Black moves the ball during the Washington Wizards at Orlando Magic NBA game at the Amway Center on Wednesday, November 29, 2023. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Orlando guard Cole Anthony drives during the Washington Wizards at Orlando Magic NBA game at the Amway Center on Wednesday, November 29, 2023. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Orlando forward Joe Ingles (7) passes around Washington center Daniel Gafford (21) during the Washington Wizards at Orlando Magic NBA game at the Amway Center on Wednesday, November 29, 2023. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Washington head coach Wes Unseld Jr. yells during the Washington Wizards at Orlando Magic NBA game at the Amway Center on Wednesday, November 29, 2023. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Orlando forward Franz Wagner goes up for a slam dunk during the Washington Wizards at Orlando Magic NBA game at the Amway Center on Wednesday, November 29, 2023. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Orlando guard Cole Anthony moves the ball during the Washington Wizards at Orlando Magic NBA game at the Amway Center on Wednesday, November 29, 2023. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Orlando forward Franz Wagner (top) yells after scoring over Washington center Daniel Gafford (bottom) during the Washington Wizards at Orlando Magic NBA game at the Amway Center on Wednesday, November 29, 2023. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Orlando guard Cole Anthony shoots during the Washington Wizards at Orlando Magic NBA game at the Amway Center on Wednesday, November 29, 2023. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Orlando forward Joe Ingles smiles during the Washington Wizards at Orlando Magic NBA game at the Amway Center on Wednesday, November 29, 2023. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Orlando guard Gary Harris moves during the Washington Wizards at Orlando Magic NBA game at the Amway Center on Wednesday, November 29, 2023. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Orlando center Moritz Wagner (21) scores over Washington forward Danilo Gallinari (left) during the Washington Wizards at Orlando Magic NBA game at the Amway Center on Wednesday, November 29, 2023. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Orlando center Moritz Wagner (21) and Orlando guard Jalen Suggs (4) share a moment during the Washington Wizards at Orlando Magic NBA game at the Amway Center on Wednesday, November 29, 2023. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Orlando players Franz Wagner (22), Joe Ingles (middle), and Gary Harris (14) react during the Washington Wizards at Orlando Magic NBA game at the Amway Center on Wednesday, November 29, 2023. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Orlando guard Cole Anthony reacts during the Washington Wizards at Orlando Magic NBA game at the Amway Center on Wednesday, November 29, 2023. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Orlando forward Paolo Banchero reacts during the Washington Wizards at Orlando Magic NBA game at the Amway Center on Wednesday, November 29, 2023. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Orlando center Moritz Wagner (21) drives past Washington guard Corey Kispert (24) and Washington forward Danilo Gallinari (middle) during the Washington Wizards at Orlando Magic NBA game at the Amway Center on Wednesday, November 29, 2023. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Orlando center Goga Bitadze (35) leaps over Washington forward Kyle Kuzma (right) during the Washington Wizards at Orlando Magic NBA game at the Amway Center on Wednesday, November 29, 2023. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Orlando forward Paolo Banchero (upper left) passes around Washington center Daniel Gafford (21) during the Washington Wizards at Orlando Magic NBA game at the Amway Center on Wednesday, November 29, 2023. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Orlando coach Jamahl Mosley signals during the Washington Wizards at Orlando Magic NBA game at the Amway Center on Wednesday, November 29, 2023. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Orlando center Goga Bitadze (35) leaps to block a shot by Washington forward Kyle Kuzma (33) during the Washington Wizards at Orlando Magic NBA game at the Amway Center on Wednesday, November 29, 2023. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Orlando center Moritz Wagner (21) moves past Washington center Daniel Gafford (left) during the Washington Wizards at Orlando Magic NBA game at the Amway Center on Wednesday, November 29, 2023. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
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Orlando forward Franz Wagner (right) drives through Washington forward Deni Avdija (8) during the Washington Wizards at Orlando Magic NBA game at the Amway Center on Wednesday, November 29, 2023. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
“It’s always good to get in, especially in big games like those [Friday against] Boston,” Houstan said Sunday after the Magic’s 13-point win over Charlotte. “Getting those minutes just always helps me grow as a player and continuing to develop.”
Although he’s averaging just under seven minutes, Houstan’s time on the court has recently come in the second and third quarters — meaning he still can impact the outcome of the game.
Against the Hornets, Houstan checked in early in the second quarter and quickly scored six points on one possession. After getting fouled shooting a 3, the refs upgraded it to a Flagrant 1, so that meant he got three free throws and the Magic retained possession.
Houstan sank all three from the charity stripe, and out of the inbounds pass he hit a 3-pointer. He didn’t realize until later when the staff told him he had scored six points in one possession.
The 6-8 forward from Michigan credits his teammates for his recent success.
“Every time I’m out there, they make the game easy for me and I just try to make myself available and make the right play,” he said. “They make it really easy. It’s a lot of fun.”
Magic forward Paolo Banchero noted Houstan’s work ethic after Tuesday’s practice at the AdventHealth Center. The two came out of the same draft last year.
“I’m not surprised because he comes in every morning and does the same routine with the same coach and shoots the same shot like it’s clockwork,” Banchero said.
That repetition is what allows Houstan to be prepared for whenever his number might be called night in and night out for the Magic.
“Just continuing to work on my game and staying ready — I try to do that to the best of my ability,” he said.