A scoreline of 116-114 saw an overtime win for Philadelphia in Orlando over the Magic. The win came with a lot of help from the officials.
Orlando fell after the 76ers recovered from a halftime 12 point deficit in the Amway Center. The Magic had a first half to be proud of as they defended some of the NBA’s best at an elite level.
The game was a thriller spoilt by some uneven officiating as Joel Embiid and James Harden shared 32 of Philly’s 37 free throw attempts. Orlando by contrast shot only 20 free throws as a team. Make no mistake Orlando committed fouls but Harden and Embiid exaggerate the slightest touch to the point where you struggle to believe there has been any contact. Incredibly Embiid was only called for 1 foul in the game.
There is a learning experience for the Magic from these games. They have to learn how to adapt themselves to how officials are calling a game, something they didn’t do last night.
Magic Top Performers
Wendell Carter Jr recorded 23 points and 12 rebounds for his 31st double-double of the season. He also made 3 blocks. His progress is rapidly seeing him become the first name on the team sheet.
Cole Anthony had 19 points, 8 rebounds and 3 assists. He drilled three consecutive 3-pointers in the extra 5 minutes but was unable to convert a potential game-winning 3, that hit the rim at the buzzer.
Markelle Fultz dished out 11 assists in 19 minutes played, to go with 8 points and 2 steals. His impact on the flow of the offence felt like he had gotten more on the statline.
Chuma Okeke contributed 13 points, RJ Hampton 11 and Moe Wagner an impactful 10 points.
Jalen Suggs had to leave the game as his ankle injury flared. In 22 minutes played he’d added 10 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists, a block and a steal.
Magic Starting Lineup – Cole Anthony (PG), Jalen Suggs (SG), Franz Wagner (SF), Wendell Carter Jr (PF), Mo Bamba (C)
Magic Bench Unit – Markelle Fultz, RJ Hampton, Chuma Okeke, Moe Wagner, Gary Harris, Terrence Ross (DNP), Robin Lopez (DNP), Admiral Schofield (DNP), Ignas Brazdeikis (DNP)
Moving On After An Overtime Win For Philadelphia In Orlando
After this loss to Philly the Magic hold a record of 18 wins and 51 losses. This still sees the Magic last in the Eastern Conference. Houston continue to hold the worst record in the NBA by virtue of having played and lost a game less. Over the last 10 games played the Magic have won 5. The home record stands at 8 wins of 32 games played. On the road the record is 10 wins in 37 games played. Points per game sees the Magic scoring 104.2, whilst conceding 111.7.
Next up in the six game home stand is a visit from another Eastern Conference powerhouse, the Brooklyn Nets.
The Brooklyn Nets
Also last night, in the battle for New York bragging rights the Nets beat the Knicks 107-110. Kevin Durant put on a masterclass as he shot the ball for 53 points, adding 9 assists, 6 rebounds and 2 steals. Andre Drummond contributed an 18 point and 10 rebound double-double. Further support came from Bruce Brown and Nic Claxton with respective tallies of 15 and 10 points.
They now hold a record of 35 wins and 33 losses. The Nets sit 8th in the Eastern Conference, 3 games back of Toronto (7th) and 4 off Cleveland (6th). Of the last 10 games played Brooklyn have won 4, being on a 3 game winning run. The Nets road record stands at 21 wins of 36 games played. In points per game the Nets score 111.3 whilst conceding 111.7.
It will be the final meeting of the season between the Nets and Magic. On the season Brooklyn lead 2-1.
Josh Cohen’s game review of an overtime win for Philadelphia in Orlando is available on the Orlando Magic website.
