Who: Orlando Magic (3-7) vs. Philadelphia 76ers (7-3)
When: Wednesday at 7 p.m.
Where: Amway Center - Orlando, Florida
TV: Fox Sports Florida
Line: Magic -1
Injuries: Philadelphia - Joel Embiid (Out, rest)
Storyline: The saga of Markelle Fultz and the Philadelphia 76ers is well-documented. Tonight, Fultz will officially face his former team for the first time in the regular season (the Magic lost to the Sixers in the preseason, with Fultz recording 12 points and 5 assists).
“It’s all a business, so it’s no grudge hold or nothing like that but there’s definitely going to be an edge of, `This is who I am, this is who you drafted,’’’ Fultz told reporters. “I think we all know that, but it’s about going out there and having fun and playing....I’m doing whatever I can to win. If I get the `W’ that will satisfy that grudge match for me. If I don’t get the win, I didn’t win in my eyes. So, that’s my goal, to go out there and get the win and have fun.’’
The Magic, at the midway point of a five-game homestand, are in desperate need of that win. They’ve lost four of five games, capped by a disheartening loss to the Pacers where they surrendered a 13-point first-half advantage and were let down by their normally reliable defense.
The Sixers started 5-0, then dropped three straight, and have now won their last two. That included a 98-97 win over Cleveland on Tuesday night, in which Ben Simmons returned after missing two games due to a sprained joint in his shoulder. Al Horford did not play for rest purposes and, on the second night of a back-to-back, Joel Embiid will be held out against Orlando. Former Magic forward Tobias Harris, averaging 17.3 points and 8.2 rebounds this season, shot 0-for-11 from three against the Cavs on Tuesday.
GAME #11 TONIGHT
— Orlando Magic PR (@Magic_PR) November 13, 2019
VS PHILADELPHIA
⌚️7 p.m.
@FOXSportsFL (pregame at 6:30 p.m.)
https://t.co/13AecgYSNb
@969thegame, @Salsa981orlando
https://t.co/j9HljvOcEn
https://t.co/rbNV5YaYPo#MagicAboveAll
What are they wearing? pic.twitter.com/6bd5kZOM1P
For OPP’s preview of the Magic/Sixers game, click here.
For some pregame reading material, check out our Aaron Goldstone’s story on how the Magic’s defense let them down against Indiana.
For some perspective from the other side, visit out friends at the Sixers community Liberty Ballers.
And as always, join the conversation below...