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Orlando Magic Grades: Philadelphia 76ers 112, Orlando Magic 111

By Philip Rossman-Reich

Feb 9, 2017; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic guard Evan Fournier (10) drives to the basket as Philadelphia 76ers guard TJ McConnell (1) defends during the second half at Amway Center. Philadelphia 76ers defeated the Orlando Magic 112-111. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 9, 2017; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic guard Evan Fournier (10) drives to the basket as Philadelphia 76ers guard TJ McConnell (1) defends during the second half at Amway Center. Philadelphia 76ers defeated the Orlando Magic 112-111. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Orlando Magic could not get the game wrapped up despite plenty of opportunities and the Philadelphia 76ers snuck through the open door to steal a win.

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Magic25233627111

The Orlando Magic needed one stop. And fate would not allow them to get it.

After Nikola Vucevic made two fantastic stops on Ersan Ilyasova, including blocking his 3-point attempt with the Magic up one, the Magic deflected the ball into the side of the backboard. The referees called a jump ball. The Sixers won it.

T.J. McConnell tracked it down and drive into C.J. Watson into the empty lane. He hit the floater over Watson with about five seconds remaining. Orlando, without a timeout, could not advance the ball or get a shot.

The Philadelphia 76ers may very well have put a nail in the Magic’s playoff hopes — or any pretending about them — with an 112-111 victory at Amway Center on Thursday.

Despite matchup advantages and a strong first quarter working for them, the Magic still could not get a win. Despite a seven-point lead late in the fourth quarter, the Magic could not get a win.

“They are a team that plays hard and plays the right way,” coach Frank Vogel said. “I didn’t think we respected the game in the first half. You screw around with the game and karma comes back to bite you in the butt.”

If there is any talk about making the Playoffs coming from this now 20-35 team, the Magic have to turn games like this into wins. Losses in games like this are simply inexcusable.

The Magic took as much as a 15 point lead in the first quarter and had a seven-point lead in the fourth quarter. They had a three-point lead with about a minute to play before giving up an offensive rebound on a free throw to create a one-point game after a few free throws. The Magic and Sixers traded the lead with Nikola Vucevic isolating Nik Stauskas for a hook shot and the lead.

Vucevic got two stops but the Magic could not get that final stop they needed.

Philadelphia took advantage of every Orlando mistake, including that jump ball, beating Orlando in a scramble situation for the win. The Sixers outscored the Magic 23-5 on second chance points. They had 52 points in the paint and converted 21 Magic turnovers into 25 points.

It all led up to another disappointing and frustrating loss for the Magic on their home floor. A game they absolutely needed to win to keep any hope of their Playoff dreams alive.

C+. <strong><a rel=. G/F. Orlando Magic. EVAN FOURNIER

B-. When <strong><a rel=. PG. Orlando Magic. ELFRID PAYTON

B-. Nikola Vucevic continues to have something of an up-and-down ride throughout the season. And his last segment of play in the fourth quarter was plenty sign of that.<p>Vucevic did a lot of what he normally does. He stepped out and hit jumpers, did a good job posting up and working the offensive glass. And played solid, position defense for the most part. Vucevic finished with 21 points and 11 rebounds. He made two key stops late forcing <strong><a rel=. C. Orlando Magic. NIKOLA VUCEVIC

MARIO HEZONJA. C. With <strong><a rel=. SF. Orlando Magic

14th East. PHILADELPHIA 76ERS. B+. The Philadelphia 76ers seem to play with a joy and intensity of a team with literally nothing to lose and little pressure on them to perform. It is a liberating feeling for sure. And without <strong><a rel=. 19-34