By: Kylan Watson
The Philadelphia 76ers were looking to rebound after being punked by the Miami Heat last night. They faced the Orlando Magic looking to clinch the number one seed in the Eastern Conference and looking to get back in the win column. They got the medicine they needed as they opened the offensive floodgates and routed the Magic 122-97.
It started out well for Philly they were able to see some shots go in the hoop early. Unlike last night they were able to hit their shots and get some good offensive possessions. They jumped on Orlando from the tip-off. They got an early six-point lead. Philly was powered by Seth Curry who scored 20-points and imposed his will. He hit four three-pointers and when he was ran off the three-point line he would attack the basket. In the second quarter when the starters went to the bench. The second unit expanded on the lead. They went on a 22-8 scoring run to balloon the lead to 23-points by half-time. They were powered by guard Shake Milton who scored 15-points and forward Mike Scott who scored 8-points and hit three threes. He has found his stroke lately and if he can continue to hit the shots, he can be a valuable piece off the bench.
The Magic tried their best and were able to get back in the game and take a one-point lead late in the first quarter. That was the only lead in the game. They were powered by Ignas Brazdeikas who scored 16-points and got what he wanted from the field. It did not matter who Philly put on him he was hitting any shot he wanted. Whether it was contested or wide-open. They had no answers for him. However, Philly was able to keep everybody else in check. Until they were able to bust the game wide open.
Philly now gets another shot at Orlando on Sunday night and the starters may not see the game. So, this might have been the last time the starting-five plays in the regular season. Now they will need another performance from whoever is called off the bench to make a huge statement going into the playoffs. This could be another opportunity for players who are on the cusp of the rotation to make a statement and show Coach Rivers why they deserve to play come playoff time.
On the win and getting the number one seed, “It’s an accomplishment. I don’t want to downplay it. It’s not what we want, but it’s part of what you can get on your way to what you want,” said Sixers Head Coach Doc Rivers.
