The 76ers traveled to Orlando to face the Magic Wednesday night in the first matchup between rookie sensations Michael Carter-Williams and Victor Oladipo. Coming into the contest, MCW was first in points, assists, and steals per game among rookies while Oladipo was second in each category. The Magic would come out VICTORious (get it? Oladipo? I should write for the Magic...) 105-94, as the Sixers lose their second in a row, and six of their last seven.
Spencer Hawes missed his second straight game with a sore knee. but in good news Thad Young would play in his first game back after a death in the family. Young would come off the bench as Lavoy Allen and Daniel Orton got the start in Philadelphia's front court.
MCW and Oladipo scored the first points for their teams as both of the rookies had great games. The lead changed hands a few times in the opening quarter before Orlando took control and ended the 1st up 33-27. Consistent shooting and scoring in the paint helped the Magic keep the lead and finish the first half up by 5. The Sixers fought back in the 2nd half and cut the game to 1 point after being down by double-digits. Philadelphia made many runs in the second half but just could not steal back the lead. Afflalo and Oladipo hit 2 3 pointers in the 4th to secure Orlando's lead and the Sixers would lose 105-94.
Philadelphia was dominated by Orlando under the basket as they were out-rebounded and out-scored in paint 52-36. The Sixers turned the ball over 15 times compared to the Magic's 17, but the Sixers did not take advantage in transition only scoring a pitiful 4 fast break points. The Magic on the other hand had 19 points off fast breaks. The Magic shot 52% from the floor compared to 44% from Philadelphia.
Thad Young had an amazing game off the bench in his first game back, leading the team with 26 points, hitting two 3s and grabbing 8 rebounds. However, he struggled from the foul line, hitting only 6 of 11. Turner had a solid all around game, scoring 17 on 50% shooting and adding 11 rebounds and 8 assists. Carter-Williams finished with 23 points, 3 assists, and 4 steals.
Former Sixer, Nikola Vucevic, had his way against the Sixer big men. The double-double machine scored 21 points (only missing 3 shots) and grabbed 16 rebounds. He blocked 3 shots and even added 5 assists. Big Baby Davis added 19 for Orlando. Both Afflalo and Oladipo scored 18 points. Oladipo also swiped 5 steals but had an awful 8 turnovers (compared to 1 from MCW).
The Sixers are really struggling, but luckily for them so is the rest of the Atlantic division. At 6-10, Philadelphia is still in 2nd in the division behind the Raptors. The Sixers will play the Pelicans (6-8) on Friday in Jrue Holiday's homecoming to Philadelphia. The Pelicans embarrassed the Sixers 135-98 earlier this season.
By: Matt Ryan
Follow us on Twitter: @BroadStBeat
MCW and Oladipo scored the first points for their teams as both of the rookies had great games. The lead changed hands a few times in the opening quarter before Orlando took control and ended the 1st up 33-27. Consistent shooting and scoring in the paint helped the Magic keep the lead and finish the first half up by 5. The Sixers fought back in the 2nd half and cut the game to 1 point after being down by double-digits. Philadelphia made many runs in the second half but just could not steal back the lead. Afflalo and Oladipo hit 2 3 pointers in the 4th to secure Orlando's lead and the Sixers would lose 105-94.
Philadelphia was dominated by Orlando under the basket as they were out-rebounded and out-scored in paint 52-36. The Sixers turned the ball over 15 times compared to the Magic's 17, but the Sixers did not take advantage in transition only scoring a pitiful 4 fast break points. The Magic on the other hand had 19 points off fast breaks. The Magic shot 52% from the floor compared to 44% from Philadelphia.
Thad Young had an amazing game off the bench in his first game back, leading the team with 26 points, hitting two 3s and grabbing 8 rebounds. However, he struggled from the foul line, hitting only 6 of 11. Turner had a solid all around game, scoring 17 on 50% shooting and adding 11 rebounds and 8 assists. Carter-Williams finished with 23 points, 3 assists, and 4 steals.
Former Sixer, Nikola Vucevic, had his way against the Sixer big men. The double-double machine scored 21 points (only missing 3 shots) and grabbed 16 rebounds. He blocked 3 shots and even added 5 assists. Big Baby Davis added 19 for Orlando. Both Afflalo and Oladipo scored 18 points. Oladipo also swiped 5 steals but had an awful 8 turnovers (compared to 1 from MCW).
The Sixers are really struggling, but luckily for them so is the rest of the Atlantic division. At 6-10, Philadelphia is still in 2nd in the division behind the Raptors. The Sixers will play the Pelicans (6-8) on Friday in Jrue Holiday's homecoming to Philadelphia. The Pelicans embarrassed the Sixers 135-98 earlier this season.
By: Matt Ryan
Follow us on Twitter: @BroadStBeat
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