By: Kylan Watson

After falling to the Miami Heat on Sunday afternoon, the Philadelphia 76ers faced the Orlando Magic tonight in Philly. The Magic were able to use a second quarter offensive from Anthony Black to beat them 144-103, handing the Sixers their worse loss so far this season.

The Sixers found their offensive rhythm early in this game they were able to use their quickness advantage to create high-percentage opportunities against Orlando. However, Orlando erased their early advantage. They found the holes in the Sixers defensive scheme and created easy scoring opportunities for their teammates. That was the difference in this game, Philly had to work for their points and Orlando did not have to work at all to put points on the board.

Anthony Black scored 31 points in this game, and he singlehandedly won this game for the Magic. Philly had no answers for what he was doing on the court tonight and they gave him way too many easy opportunities to put points on the board. Once he saw his first few shot attempts go in it was game over for the Sixers chances of winning this game. He accounted for 31 of Orlando’s 83 bench points which thoroughly outplayed Philly’s bench in this contest. His hot scoring night created multiple scoring opportunities for his teammates as he got more defensive attention from the Sixers and by then it was too late, they were down by 40 plus points with a slim chance for an improbable comeback.

Two things have been very consistent throughout the 17 games Philly has played so far this season, their perimeter defense is the weakest part of their defensive scheme, and they have one of the worst third quarter scoring margins in the league. On defense they must either play more zone or find a consistent wing defender who can stabilize the front and back side of their defense. Their lack of consistent perimeter defenders has cost them eight games this season and will cost them more games if they do not get this fixed very soon. With VJ Edgecombe (Calf strain), Paul George (Ankle soreness), and Kelly Oubre Jr. (Knee injury) all out with injuries. Daryl Morey needs to find someone on this roster or create a roster spot to find one in free agency because that is this team’s biggest need right now.

The good news for Philly is that Jared McCain found his offensive rhythm tonight and was the lone bright spot in a terrible game for them. McCain scored 15 points in this game and looked like his old self out there tonight and if he can find his stroke that could really help stabilize the Sixers throughout these next few games. The schedule does lighten up for them as they play the Brooklyn Nets, Atlanta Hawks, and Washington Wizards in their next three games.

This will be a get right stretch for the Sixers who lost Trendon Watford to an injury during tonight’s game. They could really use this stretch to find themselves again. While they did not have it in tonight’s game, they cannot take either of these teams for granted and must work hard to beat them during this three-game stretch.

Philly will play Brooklyn on Friday night and even though the Nets do not have as much talent as they use to, Brooklyn is a dangerous team with young guards who can torch Philly if they are not careful. Philly will need to use their ball movement to create easy scoring opportunities and not give up easy scoring opportunities to Brooklyn. Implementing these things into their game plan on Friday night should put them in great shape to win their 10^th game of the season.