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Orlando Magic Grades: Philadelphia 76ers 114, Orlando Magic 106

By Philip Rossman-Reich

PHILADELPHIA, PA - MARCH 5: Mike Scott #1 of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts against the Orlando Magic on March 5, 2019 at the Wells Fargo Center 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - MARCH 5: Mike Scott #1 of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts against the Orlando Magic on March 5, 2019 at the Wells Fargo Center 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The Orlando Magic got their defense right too late to give themselves a chance to win. But the Philadelphia 76ers still had the plays to win.

93. Final. 106. 38. 114

The Orlando Magic hung around all game. Maybe undeservedly so with a defensive effort that bordered on lackadaisical all night long. The team tightened up in the fourth quarter and made the run to test the Philadelphia 76ers on the road.

It was a two-point game for what seemed like forever. The Magic could not get shots to fall to cut into the deficit. All the energy and momentum the team had built was still in their favor. But the door was open.

Orlando left the door open. The team had left the door open all game. Philadelphia was not about to let that opportunity slip.

That is when Jimmy Butler took over. He hit a step-back jumper over Nikola Vucevic to give the 76ers a three-point lead. He had already made his big play, slapping the ball away from Nikola Vucevic on defense with the team needing a basket to tie the game.

The Magic kept that door open down three points, allowing the 76ers to double their lead. Aaron Gordon appeared to be calling for Nikola Vucevic to switch onto Mike Scott and left Scott a bit too open. Butler found him and gave Scott a wide-open 3-pointer to make it a six-point lead.

Orlando squandered another opportunity. Nikola Vucevic intercepted an inbounds pass after an Evan Fournier layup to cut the lead to four but then threw the ball to D.J. Augustin before he was looking for it. The Sixers had the ball back and were able to ice the game 114-106 at Wells Fargo Center on Tuesday.

The Magic got through a lackluster defensive effort throughout the first half and much of the third quarter. They buckled down and gave themselves a chance. But they ultimately could not get the stops or make the shots they needed to play. Individual play is still a big issue in these close games — whether they have Terrence Ross or not. Terrence Ross missed his first game of the season with a sore Achilles.

The 76ers were the better team throughout the night. The regret for the Magic was they once again waited too long to bring the right defensive effort and intensity. Their shooting did not keep up with the 76ers through a crazy shooting first half. And eventually, it took a desperate defensive effort even to have a chance.

C. Orlando Magic. NIKOLA VUCEVIC. C-. The Orlando Magic were trying to rely on Nikola Vucevic throughout the game. They knew they had a matchup advantage with him in there and <a rel=

C+. <a href=. F. Orlando Magic. AARON GORDON

B. With Terrence Ross out with an injury, it was clear the Orlando Magic would need Aaron Gordon, <a href=. G/F. Orlando Magic. EVAN FOURNIER

B. <a href=. F. Orlando Magic. JONATHAN ISAAC

B-. The Philadelphia 76ers were draining 3-pointers like it was nobody’s business. The team got open shots and moved the ball effectively. Their roster — even without Joel Embiid — puts a lot of pressure on any defense. It just is difficult to track everyone on the roster. And so when Philadelphia nine 3-pointers in the first half, the team should be tough to track down.<p>The 76ers offense eventually went cold. And even in the first half, Philadelphia had a hard time putting Orlando away. The Sixers made just two 3-pointers in the second half and scored just 44 points in the second half. Orlando’s defense eventually did kick in. And Philadelphia had its struggles defensively throughout too.</p><p>This game was as much about the Magic’s lack of energy as it was the 76ers’ sloppiness. They had 11 turnovers that led to 13 Magic points and they scored just 40 points in the paint. Orlando was not much better with 32 points though. Philadelphia still made the plays down the stretch. The same plays Orlando did not make. But this was not an effort to be encouraged by. The 76ers had a chance to win big and failed to take advantage.</p>. 41-23. 4th East. PHILADELPHIA 76ERS

The Orlando Magic are back in action Friday at the Amway Center against the Dallas Mavericks.

Next. 5 Questions for the Orlando Magic's fourth quarter. dark

The Orlando Magic are now one-half game behind the Miami Heat and Charlotte Hornets for the final spot in the Playoffs. With five Orlando Magic wins or five Cleveland Cavaliers losses the Magic will be eliminated from receiving the top odds in the NBA Draft Lottery.