The 76ers (6-12) welcomed the Magic (6-11) into the Wells Fargo Center as Philadelphia hoped to break their four game losing streak. This is the second matchup between these teams this season, with the Sixers dropping the first contest 105-94 in Orlando only last week. This would also be the second game between rookie phenoms, Michael Carter-Williams and Victor Oladipo, and both had the best performances of their young careers. MCW was named Eastern Conference rookie of the month for November before the game. It would take 2 overtime periods, but the Sixers pulled out the win, 126-125.
The Sixers got a break with the news that Orlando's Nikola Vucevic and Jameer Nelson would not play. Hollis Thompson received his second start of the season for the Sixers. Even against a short-handed team, Philly allowed the Magic to have their way offensively early on. Orlando scored 34 points in the first quarter and shot impressively throughout the half, finishing 58% from the floor in the first half. Even with Orlando flowing on offense, the Sixers held their own. MCW would put in a layup after a nice hustle play to give the Sixers their first lead since the first quarter with a little over 2:00 remaining in the half. Philadelphia went into the break up 58-57, committing only 6 turnovers and connecting on 6 three-pointers in the first half. Carter-Williams led the 76ers at the half with 11 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals. Arron Afflalo led all scorers at the half with 18 for the Magic.
Philadelphia was able create some breathing room in the 3rd quarter as Thad Young and Spencer Hawes turned up their scoring output. A pair of free throws from Turner gave the Sixers a double digit lead, 83-72 with just under 4 minutes left in the 3rd. However, Oladipo kept Orlando in the game as they ended the 3rd down by 5. The Sixers offense fell apart down the stretch, committing 6 turnovers within 10 possessions, allowing the Magic to go on a 9-0 run, giving them the lead with 2:45 on the clock. But after a quick timeout called by Brett Brown, the 76ers turned it around, making 3 consecutive stops on defense and were able to take the lead. Afflalo hit his 4th three-pointer of the game in the face of Thad Young immediately coming out of a timeout to make it a one point game. After Thad Young scored on a driving layup, Glen Davis hit an out of character three pointer to tie it up at 104 with :12 left. Turner was unable to end it and the Sixers would play in their 4th overtime game of the season.
Overtime was kept close by both teams. MCW found James Anderson who completed a three-point play to give the Sixers a 5 point lead with 1:30 left. Afflalo came right back with a three-point play of his own. After 2 made FTs by Thad, Oladipo missed a free-throw, but the ball went out of bounds off the Sixers to give the Magic life. Turner fouled Afflalo while attempting a three and he was able to make them all to tie it up again at 118 with :12.1 on the clock. Turner fell down while driving and Orlando forced a jump ball which Orlando would win but could not hit the hail mary as the game went into a second OT.
Turner fouled out on the first possession committing an offensive foul. The Sixers looked energized and were active in the 2nd overtime period, making hustle plays on both sides of the ball. A Thad Young floater put Philly up 5, but they could not put the game away. After a turnover, a Magic basket, and 2 missed free-throws by Anderson, the Magic would get the ball, down by 3 with :09 seconds left. Luckily for the Sixers, Afflalo missed a three-pointer and the ball would go out of bounds. Anderson put the game away with a made FT (even though Afflalo would hit another 3 as time expired) as the Sixers would win 126-125 in double overtime.
Both rookie stars had their first career triple-doubles. Carter-Williams finished with 27 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists. Oladipo scored 26 and added 10 rebounds and 10 assists for Orlando. Thad Young contributed 25 points and grabbed 12 boards and Turner scored 24 before fouling out, but turned the ball over 8 times. Anderson scored 19 for Philly in his new reserve role. Arron Afflalo had a career high 43 points and added 6 rebounds and 5 assists. Glen Davis also scored a career-high with 33 points before fouling out late in the second OT. Without Vucevic on the floor, the Sixers were able to out-rebound and out-score the Magic in the paint.
The Sixers snap a 4-game losing streak with the win. The team travels to Charlotte to play the Bobcats (8-10) on Friday.
By: Matt Ryan
Follow us on Twitter: @BroadStBeat
Philadelphia was able create some breathing room in the 3rd quarter as Thad Young and Spencer Hawes turned up their scoring output. A pair of free throws from Turner gave the Sixers a double digit lead, 83-72 with just under 4 minutes left in the 3rd. However, Oladipo kept Orlando in the game as they ended the 3rd down by 5. The Sixers offense fell apart down the stretch, committing 6 turnovers within 10 possessions, allowing the Magic to go on a 9-0 run, giving them the lead with 2:45 on the clock. But after a quick timeout called by Brett Brown, the 76ers turned it around, making 3 consecutive stops on defense and were able to take the lead. Afflalo hit his 4th three-pointer of the game in the face of Thad Young immediately coming out of a timeout to make it a one point game. After Thad Young scored on a driving layup, Glen Davis hit an out of character three pointer to tie it up at 104 with :12 left. Turner was unable to end it and the Sixers would play in their 4th overtime game of the season.
Overtime was kept close by both teams. MCW found James Anderson who completed a three-point play to give the Sixers a 5 point lead with 1:30 left. Afflalo came right back with a three-point play of his own. After 2 made FTs by Thad, Oladipo missed a free-throw, but the ball went out of bounds off the Sixers to give the Magic life. Turner fouled Afflalo while attempting a three and he was able to make them all to tie it up again at 118 with :12.1 on the clock. Turner fell down while driving and Orlando forced a jump ball which Orlando would win but could not hit the hail mary as the game went into a second OT.
Turner fouled out on the first possession committing an offensive foul. The Sixers looked energized and were active in the 2nd overtime period, making hustle plays on both sides of the ball. A Thad Young floater put Philly up 5, but they could not put the game away. After a turnover, a Magic basket, and 2 missed free-throws by Anderson, the Magic would get the ball, down by 3 with :09 seconds left. Luckily for the Sixers, Afflalo missed a three-pointer and the ball would go out of bounds. Anderson put the game away with a made FT (even though Afflalo would hit another 3 as time expired) as the Sixers would win 126-125 in double overtime.
Both rookie stars had their first career triple-doubles. Carter-Williams finished with 27 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists. Oladipo scored 26 and added 10 rebounds and 10 assists for Orlando. Thad Young contributed 25 points and grabbed 12 boards and Turner scored 24 before fouling out, but turned the ball over 8 times. Anderson scored 19 for Philly in his new reserve role. Arron Afflalo had a career high 43 points and added 6 rebounds and 5 assists. Glen Davis also scored a career-high with 33 points before fouling out late in the second OT. Without Vucevic on the floor, the Sixers were able to out-rebound and out-score the Magic in the paint.
The Sixers snap a 4-game losing streak with the win. The team travels to Charlotte to play the Bobcats (8-10) on Friday.
By: Matt Ryan
Follow us on Twitter: @BroadStBeat
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