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Orlando Magic Grades: Philadelphia 76ers 120, Orlando Magic 114

By Philip Rossman-Reich

PHILADELPHIA, PA - OCTOBER 01: Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers guards Aaron Gordon #00 of the Orlando Magic during the first quarter of the preseason game at Wells Fargo Center on October 1, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - OCTOBER 01: Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers guards Aaron Gordon #00 of the Orlando Magic during the first quarter of the preseason game at Wells Fargo Center on October 1, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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The Orlando Magic got their feet wet in their first preseason game. They showed plenty to be pleased with and plenty more to work on.

93. Final. 114. 38. 120

There were moments when it looked exactly like the first preseason game. The Philadelphia 76ers raced out to a 12-2 lead and led virtually wire to wire. The Orlando Magic had a few boneheaded turnovers and wayward shots. The team needed to get its legs under them.

Then there were the moments that truly shined. The moments to hold onto and point to as a sign of growth.

Jonathan Isaac got a deflection on his first two possessions and again proved a major presence defensively. Aaron Gordon settled for mid-range jumpers again, sure, but had moments of shot-making brilliance and feats of incredible athleticism. Mohamed Bamba displayed what his length and newfound shooting range can do. The team strung together some solid defensive stretches to get themselves back into the game.

It all adds up to. . . the first preseason game. A game where there is not a whole lot to take out of except for the fact the team got its feet wet. The growth can happen from here with something that is not quite a baseline for the team.

The 76ers won a wire-to-wire 120-114 preseason victory at Wells Fargo Center on Monday. That part did not matter.

What mattered was to see the team slowly get organized and play more effectively and efficiently as the game and the nerves wore off. The team shot 49 percent from the floor and committed a relatively meager 12 turnovers. The team was not sloppy, although there were plenty of moments of clear rust.

Orlando struggled to keep up physically at times and gave up far too many offensive rebounds. That is certainly going to make Steve Clifford a bit unhappy. But the Magic got better as the game wore on. Philadelphia beat Orlando still with Joel Embiid pacing the team throughout. The Magic still have a lot of details to get down.

But Orlando has plenty of time to get those down. The team saw plenty of positive signs to be happy about throughout the first preseason game. And plenty to still get to work on.

F. Orlando Magic. AARON GORDON. B. <a href=

B-. <a href=. C. Orlando Magic. NIKOLA VUCEVIC

Orlando Magic. TERRENCE ROSS. A. It has been a long time since <a href=. G/F

The first preseason game is as much for the surprises and the guys who look surprisingly good when the bench players come in a the end of the game. Every team wants to find some diamonds in the rough.<p>Monday night was <a href=. G. Orlando Magic. ISAIAH BRISCOE. A-

The Philadelphia 76ers certainly looked more put together and ready to play than the Orlando Magic. That is a product of their talent and continuity. That is two things the Magic are still struggling to put together. Orlando needs more time, Philadelphia is much more ready to go.<p>That was evident in the way Joel Embiid just dominated whatever center the Magic threw at him. He scored 21 points and scored however he wanted on the block. More importantly, <a rel=. 2-0. 1st East. PHILADELPHIA 76ERS. A-

Next. Orlando Magic view exhibition as extension of practice. dark

The Orlando Magic return home for their open practice Tuesday at the Amway Center. They next play Brazilian team Flamengo on Friday at the Amway Center.