By: Kylan Watson

The Philadelphia 76ers started a three-game road trip in Orlando tonight as they faced a game Magic squad that was looking to continue their undefeated streak at home. Both teams traded blows throughout this game, and despite a good first half for Philly. Orlando was able to use a third quarter explosion to beat Philly 98-86.

The Sixers started this game off fast. They were able to find their offensive rhythm early, and for the second game this season Paul George and Joel Embiid shared the floor. Embiid started this game off hot, scoring 16 of his 20-points by half-time. He had it working early in this game and it looked like the Sixers might cruise to a victory over the outmatched Magic.

However, the wheels came off for the Sixers late in the third quarter as the Magic went on a 34-14 scoring run and were able to take this game from the Sixers. Philly turned the ball over 16 times and had poor spacing that allowed Orlando to take full advantage. They were able to run and convert easy buckets. That allowed Franz Wagner to take this game over as he scored 31 points and refused to let his team lose this game. Philly had no answers for what he was doing as he caught them out of defensive position on multiple occasions.

The Sixers cannot afford to be working out chemistry and turning the ball over in contests it is a bad formula that decreases their chances of winning games. Protecting the ball is pivotal, especially against a Magic team that has a lot of tall and athletic defenders.

Philly will need to take the next two days that they have off to get into the gym and figure this out. Joel Embiid is working his way back, but other players need to pick up their teammate it cannot just be Jared McCain who scored 29 points again tonight but fouled out of this contest. In addition, especially with McCain taking a bigger role the bench cannot contribute zero points in the second half. Somebody has to contribute off the bench and if somebody on the Sixers, not named Embiid and McCain could have hit more shots in this contest the Sixers could have won this game.

Philly has a lot of work to do as they are at the bottom of the standings in the loaded Eastern Conference and need to start winning games very soon. In addition, Tyrese Maxey has resumed on-court activities and should be back in a few weeks. The Sixers need to start playing more cohesive basketball very soon, and they have two days to get it together as they prepare to face the Miami Heat on Monday night.

Whenever Philly and Miami play each other, it is always a tough match-up for both teams. Especially, with both teams struggling as they enter this contest. The Sixers have to cash in on high-percentage shooting opportunities that are created off their ball movement. They did not do enough of that against Orlando and need to do it against a Miami Heat squad that is prone to making mistakes within their defensive scheme. Philly needs to cash in when that happens if they want to put themselves in great shape to win their third game of the season.