Magic Now 2-0 in NBA Cup

Orlando, FL— This Magic vs 76ers match was the second game of the NBA In-Season Tournament Cup for the Orlando Magic, which resulted in a thrilling 98-86 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers. 

Orlando’s Defense Continues to Shine

Defense continues to be the backbone of this Orlando team and they strapped up one of the deepest teams in the NBA. The Magic held the Sixers to shoot 29 of 72 (40.3%) from the field, 10 of 31 (32.3%) from behind the arch and they generated 11 steals.

“You cannot say enough about the intensity and the focus that these guys have and the willingness and the want to guard,” said Jamahl Mosley on the team’s defensive effort. “This group takes pride in the way in which we guard and following along with the game plan and taking care of home.”

Taking Away the Sixers’ Stars

Sixers star Joel Embiid appeared in just his second game of the season logging 32 minutes scoring 20 points, and eight rebounds and limiting him to shoot 5 of 15 (33.3%) from the floor and 0 of 5 (0%) from behind the arc. Philadelphia’s Paul George struggled to have any kind of consistent rhythm offensively as he scored just 13 points on 4 of 15 (26.6%)  from the field and 3 of 9 (33.3%) from deep. 

McCain Shine Through the Tough Defense

In the absence of Tyrese Maxey (hamstring), Sixers rookie Jared McCain continued to impress as one of the best rookies so far this NBA season. McCain scored 29 points while shooting an efficient 10 of 17 (58.8%) from the floor and 5 of 10 (50%) from deep. 

“He’s tough,” Franz Wagner on Jared McCain. “He’s tough on the ball, but what makes him really tough is he’s real dangerous when he’s not with the ball…so yea thought he played a really good game.”

Both Teams Struggle Early But Franz Powers Through

This was a premiere 76ers vs Magic matchup between two great Eastern Conference teams and was a physical contest from start to finish. In the first half, both teams struggled to put points on the board and shoot the ball efficiently. 

Orlando began the game by creating some initial separation led by Franz Wagner who scored 10 of the Magic’s 24 points in the first period of play. Philadelphia wouldn’t fall back much further as they closed out the first quarter and first three minutes of the second quarter on a 14-0 run for the Sixers to go up 29-24. 

Orlando would continue to fight and a last-second three by Kentavious Caldwell-Pope cut the deficit to two points as the 76ers led the Magic 45-43 going into the halftime locker room.

Magic Close Sixers Out in the Second Half

The Sixers opened up the second half on a 14-6 run led by Jared McCain who scored 15 points in the third quarter alone. After a Tristan da Silva two-handed slam in transition and Franz Wagner three, Orlando would go on a 13-3 run in the final three minutes of the quarter and would hold a 73-72 lead going into the fourth.

The Magic held the Sixers in check in the final period of play to just 14 points on 4 of 15 shooting (26.7%), and 1 of 6 (16.7%) from deep. 76ers Head Coach Nick Nurse was asked about his team’s play down the stretch and he responded:

“I just think that we had done a semi-decent job of handling most of their pressure, and then we just got really unorganized, a couple of OBs—And then obviously they hit a few and were able to open it up.”

Final Numbers and Notes

It’s not how you start it’s how you finish and Jalen Suggs scored 11 of his 19 points in the fourth quarter of play. 

“I’m joking but the bigger the moment the bigger the shot for him,” Jamhal Mosley on Suggs’ play in the second half. “I think that’s so important for him because he understands the amount of work that he puts in, and he’s gonna continue to put that in. It’s not thinking about the ones you missed, it’s thinking about the next one you get.”

Franz Wagner scored a game-high 31 points while also chipping in 11 rebounds and six assists. Wagner also shot an incredibly efficient 10 of 23 (43.4%) from the field and 5 of 11 (45.5%) from deep. Franz has now logged seven consecutive games of 20+ points and has now led the Magic to five straight wins all at home.

“I’m not even surprised anymore,” Moe Wagner jokingly said he’s not impressed by his brother anymore. “That’s the more impressive part, I kinda assume he’s gonna do that. I don’t really care how many 30 balls he drops because it’s so normal now.

Orlando has now won their second game of the NBA In-Season Tournament by winning this Magic vs 76ers game. They have improved to 2-0 and they’re at a +37 in point differential which could be the difference maker in the group stage. Orlando have been proving that the Magic have what it takes to be great in the East and in the NBA Cup. The Magic also remain undefeated at home, they have now improved to 8-6 on the season, and they will begin a three-game road trip out west beginning on Monday night at Phoenix.