Orlando are back home for Philadelphia on Game Day 40. Against the 76ers the Magic are tonight looking to break a 6 game losing streak, which has seen Orlando drop to the bottom of the Eastern Conference.
As is often the case the tip time is shown on the Orlando Magic website as being midnight here in the UK (7pm Eastern for our friends in Orlando).
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Last Games
Monday 3rd January 2022 – Orlando Magic 98 – 102 Chicago Bulls
Magic Top Performances – December’s Rookie of the Month; Franz Wagner continued his double figure scoring run attaining the 20-point mark for the 10th time, finishing with 22. Wendell Carter Jr recorded his 18th double-double of the season, finishing with 21 points and 10 rebounds. Gary Harris scored 19 points, amassing a 17th double-digit score in his last 19 games. Terrence Ross contributed 15 points.
Monday 3rd January 2022 – Houston Rockets 113 – 133 Philadelphia 76ers
Sixers Top Performance – Joel Embiid had a triple-double of 31 points, 15 rebounds and 10 assists, whilst also adding 2 blocks and a steal. Furkan Korkmaz had a double-double of 24 points and 11 rebounds. Seth Curry added 15 points and Tobias Harris 14. Isaiah Joe had 18 points from the bench.
Season Records
Orlando’s record – 7 wins 31 losses – now placed last in the Eastern Conference. The Magic have now lost 6 games consecutively and won only 2 of the last 10 played. Home record – 2 wins of 15 games played. Road record 5 wins of 23 played. Points Per Game – score 101.8 whilst conceding 111.4, rating 28th on offence and 25th defensively.
Philadelphia’s record – 20 wins 16 losses – 5th in the Eastern Conference. They have won 4 games consecutively and won 6 of the last 10 played. Road record – 13 wins of 21 games played. Points Per Game – score 106.8 whilst conceding 106.1, rating 13th on offence and 19th defensively.
Head-To-Head – The Philadelphia 76ers
The Magic lead the all time head-to-head regular season matchup by 79-43 in 121 games played.
This will be the second of four meetings this season. The last clash came in Philly on Game Day 22 with the 76ers winning 96-101. Franz Wagner scored 27 points and Mo Bamba made 17 rebounds and 6 blocks. It was also the game in which Jalen Suggs fractured his right thumb.
Last season the Magic were swept 3-0. The 76ers now have 5 game winning streak over Orlando. Thankfully this game is in the Amway Center as Orlando have not won a fixture in Philadelphia since December 2016.
In the playoffs it is 5-5, Philly taking the 1999 series 3-1, Orlando the 2009 series 4-2. Both series were first round match ups.
Our Opponents – The Philadelphia 76ers
Injury News – Shake Milton is out with a back injury. Tyrese Maxey, Matisse Thybulle, Jaden Springer, Paul Reed and Myles Powell are all listed as out through COVID protocols. Ben Simmons is still absent with what is described as “personal reasons”.
Last Game Starting Lineup – Seth Curry (PG), Furkan Korkmaz (SG), Tobias Harris (PF), Danny Green (SF), Joel Embiid (C)
Additional Players Available – Georges Niang, Andre Drummond, Isaiah Joe, Charles Bassey, Aaron Henry
Coached by Doc Rivers.
The Orlando Magic Injury Report
ESPN shows some good and bad news to the Magic injury status as Orlando are back home for Philadelphia on Game Day 40.
Cole Anthony is a game time decision having gone through a full morning shoot-around. He has been absent for management of an ankle injury.
Wendell Carter Jr is questionable with a non-COVID illness.
Moritz Wagner is listed as out.
Robin Lopez remains in NBA protocols for COVID-19 and is out for the game.
Markelle Fultz is still out being in NBA Covid protocols.
Jalen Suggs is out with a fractured right thumb. He is said to be progressing steadily.
E’Twaun Moore remains out with a sprained left knee.
Michael Carter-Williams is out after surgery to remove a bone fragment and repair his left ankle ligament.
Jonathan Isaac continues to be out as he rehabilitates from a left knee ACL injury that saw him miss all of last season. He is said to be making great and steady progress, but is not yet cleared for contact.
The Magic Lineup As Orlando Are Back Home For Philadelphia
Coach Mosely will as highlighted above have game time decisions to make on two automatic starters in Cole Anthony and Wendell Carter Jr.
Magic Starting Lineup Last Game – Tim Frazier (PG), Gary Harris (SG), Franz Wagner (SF), Wendell Carter Jr (PF), Mo Bamba (C)
Magic Bench Unit Last Game – Hassani Gravett, RJ Hampton, Terrence Ross, Admiral Schofield, Freddie Gillespie
Additional Players Available Tonight: Ignas Brazdeikis, Mychal Mulder
Check Out Other Orlando Magic U.K. Content
On each game day make sure to check Twitter and Facebook to play along with our Magic Moments competition. Simply comment with your prediction for each of five questions we will ask on that night’s game. At the end of the season we will send out a prize to whoever tops the league with the most correct predictions.
We are also active on Instagram and TikTok.
Be sure to subscribe to Orlando Magic U.K. YouTube channel for episodes of our podcast Penny For Your Thoughts.
Final Thoughts As Orlando Are Back Home For Philadelphia
Orlando have been much more successful at limiting live ball turnovers. That is essential tonight as the Sixers are top 10 in steals.
Philly do not take a high amount of shots from beyond the three-point line. However the shots made is 11th best in the league.
Surprisingly, Philadelphia are a not a high ranking rebounding team. This could be a source of points for Orlando but Embiid and Drummond’s abilities can not be ignored.
Finally Orlando need to avoid committing unnecessary fouls on the 76ers. Seth Curry has hit 88.4% of his free throws. Joel Embiid has shot 257 times from the line, making 209.
This is a game Orlando can win. Franz Wagner is showing increasing impact on an already stellar rookie season. Veterans Gary Harris and Terrence Ross are finding their shot. The Magic have pushed three of the East’s best teams in the last four games, ultimately without a win. That could easily change tonight in the Amway Center.
Let’s Go Magic!
