Orlando Magic @ Philadelphia 76ers

After a hard-fought loss the Chicago Bulls Sunday afternoon, the Orlando Magic will hit the road to take on the Philadelphia 76ers Monday night.

Philadelphia snapped a three-game losing streak with a 98-93 win over the Toronto Raptors Friday.

These two teams have met three times this season with the Magic winning twice.

In their first meeting on December 18 (the day of the trades), Philadelphia took down a short-handed Magic team 97-89. Lou Williams led the 76ers with 24 points while Dwight Howard had 26 points and 20 rebounds. Orlando suited up just eight players, starting Quentin Richardson and J.J. Redick with Dwight Howard, Brandon Bass and Jameer Nelson. Only Malik Allen, Jason Williams and Chris Duhon were available off of the bench.

They played again on January 19 with the Magic winning 99-98 in overtime after two incredible three-point plays (one by Jason Richardson to tie it in regulation and one by Redick in overtime). Williams led the 76ers with 19 points while Ryan Anderson’s 20 led the Magic.

The two teams met again on February 9 in Philadelphia. The Magic won another close game, 99-95. Lou Williams led the 76ers with 23 points. Dwight Howard 30 points and 17 rebounds for the Magic.

The 76ers are in 16th in pace (93.9), 17th in offensive rating (104.1) 10th and in defensive rating (102.5).

The game will be shown nationally on NBA TV and locally on FSN Florida. As always, if you can’t watch the game, you can listen on the radio – in English on AM 580 WDBO and in Spanish on AM 1270 WRLZ.

Tip off from the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is scheduled for 7:00 pm EST.

The Line: Philadelphia -2, 191u

Starters:

Philadelphia 76ers

Spencer Hawes
Elton Brand
Evan Turner
Jodie Meeks
Jrue Holiday

Orlando Magic

Dwight Howard
Brandon Bass
Hedo Tukoglu
Jason Richardson
Jameer Nelson

Andre Iguodala is out with knee tendinitis.

J.J. Redick (abdomen) remains out. He did make the trip to Philadelphia because he is amping up his work to get back on the court.

"”I’m going to try to do some more heavy-duty stuff, and I wanted to be able to do it with Bob today on the court,” Redick said after the Magic completed their shootaround. “More off-the-dribble and moving.”"

Quentin Richardson will serve the second game of his two-game suspension. Gilbert Arenas may miss the game with a sore leg.

Update: Arenas will not play.

The officials will be Ken Mauer, David Guthrie and Eli Roe.

Of Note: These two teams met just two years ago in the postseason with the Magic winning four games-to-two. Both Magic losses came on buzzer-beaters. Philadelphia is still battling with the New York Knicks for the sixth seed. The Magic are 58-27 all-time against the 76ers and 2-1 this season. They’re 26-17 in Philadelphia. The Magic organization has a lot of ties to Philadelphia. Pat Williams, Orlando’s senior Vice President, was Philadelphia’s general manager for 12 years. Matt Guokas, the first ever coach of the Magic an their television color commentator, was both a a player and a coach in Philadelphia.

Opponent To Watch: Lou Williams, G – Philadelphia’s sixth man has killed the Magic this season, averaging 22.0 points per game on 48.8% shooting against the Magic this season. He’s been the 76ers’ leading scorer in all three games. With the problems Gilbert Arenas and Chris Duhon have had this season, it could be another big night for Williams.

What To Watch For: The 76ers have something to play for and the Magic really don’t. Philadelphia’s sixth seed hopes took a wrong turn with their three-game losing streak, which included a loss to their competition, the New York Knicks. However Orlando will be back at full strength with Dwight Howard returning from his suspension. Van Gundy told Brian Serra Howard’s minutes would not be limited. Following Sunday’s game, Magic head coach Stan Van Gundy said the Magic would probably play “eight or nine” guys so it will be interesting to see if any other player rests.

(Andrew Melnick is Howard the Dunk’s lead blogger and ESPN 1080’s Magic Insider (http://espn1080.com). Subscribe to his RSS feed, add him on Facebook and follow him on Twitter to follow him daily. You can download the HTD app here).