By: Kylan Watson
After losing to the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday night, the Philadelphia 76ers faced the Orlando Magic tonight in the series finale of their regular season matchup. Both teams traded blows throughout this game, but thanks to an offensive explosion from Paolo Banchero the Magic beat the Sixers 104-99.
The Sixers once again started this game off flat and turned the ball over five times during the early part of the first quarter. Which led to easy baskets for Orlando and before Philly could even settle into this game they were down by double digits.
Cole Anthony had the hot hand for Orlando early in this contest. He scored 27 points and early in this game and made his first five shot attempts in the first quarter. The Sixers had no answers for him and when they gave him more defensive attention it opened opportunities for his teammates to put points on the board.
Despite the scoring explosion from Anthony, the Sixers still had multiple opportunities to win this contest. They were able to battle back in the second quarter, they were finally able to hit their shots and force the Magic to turn the ball over. Once the Sixers got easy opportunities to attack the basket their offense came to life. Tyrese Maxey (29 points) and Paul George (25 points and grabbed 10 rebounds) combined for 54 of Philly’s 99 points in this game. George especially helped the Sixers regain the lead late in the third quarter and throughout the majority of the fourth quarter. He played aggressively and made things happen for the Sixers when he plays like this, it adds another dimension to the Sixers offensive and defensive capabilities. George singlehandedly kept the Sixers in this game and if he did not foul out, they might have pulled off the upset over Orlando.
Once George left the game the Magic went on a 9-2 scoring run which was the difference maker in this contest. Philly just could not put enough points on the board late to compete with Orlando’s size, athleticism, and toughness.
The Sixers are missing Joel Embiid (sprained foot), Andre Drummond (left toe sprain), and Caleb Martin and without their size they really did not have anyone who was competing for rebounds besides George. That proved to be the Sixers undoing in this contest. They gave up 41 rebounds in this game (12 offensive rebounds), because of that margin Orlando had multiple opportunities to put points on the board and they cashed in on it. Philly will not win many games being outrebounded by a double-digit margin, they must rebound as a team especially without Drummond and Embiid on the floor.
For example, in the fourth quarter when Paolo Banchero missed a free throw that would have sealed this game, the Sixers gave up an offensive rebound to Jonathan Issac. Which led to a Banchero free throw line jumper that sealed the game for the Magic.
Philly will now prepare for a Tuesday night matchup with the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Thunder are another young and athletic team that will put pressure on Philly with their explosive offense. The Sixers will have to stay attached to their defensive assignment and keep the rebounding battle competitive. OKC is a team that will crash the boards to grab a rebound and if the Sixers give them multiple opportunities to put points on the board they will cash in on those opportunities.
Implementing these things into their game plan for Tuesday night should put the Sixers in great position to win their 17th game of the season.