Sixers blow 21-point lead, snap seven game winning streak with a 119-109 loss to the Orlando Magic
The Philadelphia 76ers welcomed the Orlando Magic to South Philadelphia last night, looking to stay hot and win their eighth straight game. After building up a 21-point lead in the first half, the Sixers fell apart in the second half of the game and the Magic, led by Paolo Banchero and Markelle Fultz, battled back to earn a 119-109 win on the road.
Banchero led the Magic with 29 points and 10 rebounds, while Fultz, playing in his first game back in Philadelphia since being traded in 2019, tallied 12 points and 10 assists.
For the Sixers, Joel Embiid was his typical self, leading the Sixers with 30 points, 11 rebounds, and five assists. James Harden scored 17 points with six rebounds and seven assists. Tobias Harris scored 17 points and Tyrese Maxey scored just eight points in the loss.
The Magic recovered after shooting just 25.9% in the first quarter, using a big third quarter offensively to get back into the game and a huge fourth quarter defensively to get the win. The Sixers had five turnovers in the fourth quarter, three of which came from Embiid, and 19 total turnovers in the game.
Embiid spoke to the media following the loss.
“Turnovers, rebounding,” said Embiid. “I mean, blowing a 21-point lead is hard to do. So, I made that. Obviously, turnovers led to that, and we just gotta be better.” via SixersWire/USA Today
Up Next for the Sixers
The Sixers will host the Orlando Magic yet again on Wednesday night in South Philadelphia. With the loss, they fell a half game behind the Milwaukee Bucks, who now sit in second in the Eastern Conference Standings.
Still, the Sixers are 8-2 over their last 10 games and 19-8 at home. A bounce-back on Wednesday is needed, as Philly will then hit the road for three straight games, starting with the Spurs on Friday night, the Knicks on Sunday, and the Celtics next Wednesday.
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