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Orlando Magic Grades: Philadelphia 76ers 118, Orlando Magic 98

By Philip Rossman-Reich

ORLANDO, FL - MARCH 22: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers shoots the ball against the Orlando Magic on March 22, 2018 at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL - MARCH 22: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers shoots the ball against the Orlando Magic on March 22, 2018 at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The Orlando Magic struggled to keep up and keep pace with the Philadelphia 76ers, falling behind by as much as 35 points on their home floor.

The Philadelphia 76ers were toying with the Orlando Magic, chewing their food and spitting them out at will doing whatever they wanted.

On one possession in the first quarter, Mario Hezonja was trying to push the ball up court. Ben Simmons snuck behind him and left Mario Hezonja completely unaware. He tipped the ball away to Dario Saric. Saric fired it ahead to Simmons all alone for a breakaway dunk.

That was not the worst of it. The Sixers outhustled the Magic to rebounds. They beat them to offensive rebounds. They beat them to loose balls. They beat them… everywhere.

Philadelphia led by as much as 35 points in a 118-98 rout at the Amway Center on Thursday. Orlando might have been better off not showing up for the game. For long stretches, it seemed that is what the Magic’s defense was doing.

The 76ers shot 47.2 percent for the game, but they made 15 of 37 3-pointers off great ball reversals and attacks into the lane. The Magic were stretched thin at almost every moment. It could have been Ben Simmons rolling through the lane and firing a dump off pass to Joel Embiid. Or he could have found J.J. Redick or Marco Belinelli beyond the arc. Everything seemed to be working.

The 76ers were playing with the swagger of a Playoff team taking care of business and putting the hammer down. They played with the kind of desperation the Magic need just to compete most nights.

The Magic shot just 40.7 percent from the floor. Rodney Purvis led the team in scoring off the bench with 19. Aaron Gordon went just 4 for 15 and Nikola Vucevic went 3 for 11. Neither of Orlando’s key players could get a shot to go in. And the pass the Magic are so desperately in need of was never there.

Not until the fourth quarter when the game was already decided. The Magic outscored the 76ers 33-23 in the fourth quarter just to make it a 20-point game. Maybe Orlando played a little bit better overall. It certainly could not be worse.

But it was far too little too late. The Magic lacked the fight they needed from the start. And the hole they buried was far too deep to climb out of.

C. Orlando Magic. NIKOLA VUCEVIC. F. The Orlando Magic need the most from their best players. At least if they are going to play them like their best players. And certainly setting a tone with their starters, they need these guys to step up. Since the All-Star Break, it has felt like <a href=

<a href=. PF. Orlando Magic. AARON GORDON. C-

A. About the only positive for the Orlando Magic came from the play of <a href=. SG. Orlando Magic. RODNEY PURVIS

B-. With <a href=. SG. Orlando Magic. WESLEY IWUNDU

A-. The Philadelphia 76ers showed up and beat a bad team. That is what they are supposed to do as a team heading to the Playoffs. They are not supposed to take things easy. They are supposed to take care of business. That is the sign of a maturing and growing team. There was hardly anything to be upset about.<p>There was balanced scoring — including 18 points off the bench from <a rel=. 41-30. 4th East. PHILADELPHIA 76ERS

Next: Aaron Gordon, Jonathan Isaac show what's possible

The Orlando Magic continue their homestand against the Phoenix Suns on Saturday at the Amway Center.