In a crucial match for Eastern Conference playoff seeding, Joel Embiid put on a show with 32 points, 13 rebounds, and seven assists, despite an injury scare in the first half. The Philadelphia 76ers secured a 125-113 victory over the Orlando Magic on Friday night.
The Sixers, with a record of 46-36, extended their winning streak to seven games. Tyrese Maxey was on fire with 28 points, and Kelly Oubre Jr. chipped in 21, contributing to Philadelphia's success. Orlando, Indiana, and Philadelphia are all tied at 46-35. The Pacers are in sixth place after losing to the Cleveland Cavaliers 129-120 on Friday night, with the Magic in fifth and the Sixers in seventh.
Franz Wagner led Orlando with 24 points, followed by Paolo Banchero with 22 and Jalen Suggs with 20. Despite their efforts, the Magic couldn't overcome a sluggish start, trailing 40-27 after the first quarter and falling short despite closing the gap to six points in the fourth.
Orlando head coach Jamahl Mosley emphasized the need for better starts, stating, “You can't give up 40 points in the first quarter and crawl your way out.”
Embiid dominated the first half with 21 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists, showcasing his talent in his fifth game back after a long injury hiatus. He briefly left the game in the first half with an apparent knee injury but returned in the second half, proving he was good to go. Maxey stepped up in the fourth quarter, scoring 11 points while Embiid rested on the bench.
Philadelphia swept the season series against Orlando, but their playoff fate hinges on other results. If both Orlando and Indiana win their upcoming games, Philadelphia would fall to the seventh seed and enter the play-in tournament. However, the team remains focused on their final regular-season game against Brooklyn, aiming to maintain their momentum heading into the playoffs.
Login