The Orlando Magic aim to break a two-game losing streak as they face off with the Philadelphia 76ers, the one team the Magic seem to match up best.
Orlando Magic (32-37) vs. Philadelphia 76ers (41-27)
Time/TV:
6:30 p.m./FOX Sports Florida
FOLLOW LIVE2020 Season Series:
in Orlando on Nov. 13;
in Orlando on Dec. 27; Today at the NBA Campus
| Pace | Off. Rtg. | Def. Rtg. | eFG% | O.Reb.% | TO% | FTR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orlando | 98.9 | 107.9 | 108.9 | 50.6 | 26.6 | 12.9 | 25.3 |
| Philadelphia | 99.6 | 110.0 | 107.9 | 53.1 | 27.9 | 14.3 | 25.5 |
OMD Prediction
Both the Orlando Magic and Philadelphia 76ers are dealing with major injuries. Aaron Gordon is unlikely to play and Ben Simmons is out for the 76ers in this game. Those are two players who create matchup problems for both teams. They usually cancel each other out. The Magic have done well against the 76ers because they are able to bottle up Joel Embiid. Nikola Vucevic surprisingly does well in this matchup. And that will be the biggest key in this one because Embiid can go off. He nearly defeated the Magic on his own in December. Philadelphia’s offense can get stuck, just like Orlando’s. This game may come down to whoever actually hits threes.
1) Mohamed Bamba’s return to the court has been slowed by a positive test for COVID-19 in June, he tells Josh Robbins of The Athletic. Bamba has had his minutes limited as he gets back into conditioning.
2) Aaron Gordon is listed as day to day and is doubtful to play Friday after straining his left hamstring on a hard foul in Wednesday’s game against the Toronto Raptors. Ben Simmons is out with a partially dislocated knee and the team is still weighing its options for his recovery. Simmons’ injury is very tricky, Rich Hoffman of The Athletic discovered.
3) The Orlando Magic have a playoff spot within their grasps as they try to right the ship following two disappointing losses, Roy Parry of the Orlando Sentinel writes.
4) Pace is one of the biggest factors for the Orlando Magic’s success inside and outside the bubble.
5) The Orlando Magic are still struggling to raise their game to a playoff level. But they still have their chance to measure up to Playoff-level teams in their next two outings.
6) With injuries piling up, the Orlando Magic need Terrence Ross to torch the competition, Dan Savage of OrlandoMagic.com writes.
7) Like the Philadelphia 76ers, Furkan Korkmaz and his shooting has been inconsistent and needs to straighten up before the playoffs, Marc Narducci of The Philadelphia Inquirer writes.
8) Josh Robbins and John Hollinger of The Athletic discuss the long-term implications of Jonathan Isaac’s injury on the Orlando Magic’s future.
9) Luke Duffy of Hoops Habit looks at which players will have to step up in Jonathan Isaac’s absence. The injury has put the Orlando Magic back down a position again.
10) Gary Clark’s role is about to expand as the Orlando Magic need help at power forward, Tim Briggs writes.
11) The Orlando Magic got a glimpse at a potentially frustrating playoff future in their loss to the Toronto Raptors.
12) Regardless of their chances, the playoffs will provide valuable experience for the Orlando Magic as they map out their future.