Magic stumble against 76ers
Orlando fails to clinch second straight playoff berth.
The Orlando Magic had the Philadelphia 76ers right where they wanted them. But when the shots didn’t fall, the Magic watched the fourth-quarter dominance they’ve shown this season slip away.
Orlando’s fourth-quarter offensive struggles opened the door enough for Philadelphia, and the 76ers took advantage as they rallied to beat the Magic 108-101 on Friday night at ESPN Wide World of Sports’ HP Field House.
Evan Fournier finished with 22 points to lead the Magic (32-38), who have lost three straight.
Nikola Vucevic finished with 21 points and 12 rebounds while D.J. Augustin had 16 points, James Ennis had 14 and Markelle Fultz had 13 for Orlando.
The loss prevented the Magic from clinching their second straight playoff berth but they didn’t have to wait long to punch their postseason ticket. The Magic clinched a playoff spot with the Wizards’ 118-107 loss to the Pelicans.
Tobias Harris and Joel Embiid each scored 23 points for the 76ers while Al Horford tallied 21. Reserve guard Alec Burks delivered 22 points and hit key 3-pointers for the 76ers.
The Magic have been nearly unbeatable when going into the fourth quarter with the lead. Or
lando came into the game 26-2 when leading or tied after three quarters. That didn’t faze the 76ers (42-27), who scored the first nine points of the fourth quarter to quickly erase a two-point deficit. From there, Philadelphia never gave up the lead as it beat Orlando for the first time this season.
Orlando got a layup by Fournier and putback dunk by Khem Birch to pull within 88-86. But the offense sputtered after that and Philadelphia took advantage to create some separation.
The Magic had the ball down 103-96 with 40.4 seconds to play but were whistled for a five-second call on an inbounds play. The 76ers responded with two free throws by Horford before the Magic closed within six on a 3-pointer by Vucevic.
It was a two-possession game after a Fournier layup with 17.3 seconds remaining before Horford iced the win 7 seconds later with two free throws.
“It’s frustrating. We battled but obviously we fell short,” Vucevic said.
The Magic produced good looks for the most part but couldn’t get shots to fall, particularly from behind the arc. Orlando finished 8 of 32 from the 3-point line (25.0%). Philadelphia wasn’t much better at 8-for-23 (27.6%).
The Magic played without starting forward Aaron Gordon and reserve guard Michael Carter-Williams. Gordon’s absence perhaps contributed to Philadelphia’s success on the offensive boards. The 76ers finished with 15 offensive rebounds that led to 21 second-chance points. Philadelphia outscored Orlando by eight points in that category.
Fournier said the Magic’s inability to slow the 76ers on the offensive glass was the biggest difference in the game.
“We knew coming in that they were one of the best offensive rebounding teams and they just outworked us on the boards,” he said. “There’s nothing you can do about big guys in there but I feel like that’s where they won the game — rebounding. And from those rebounds, fouls and putbacks. That’s where they won the game.”
Magic coach Steve Clifford bemoaned his team’s rebounding. While he acknowledged Gordon’s absence was somewhat of a factor, Clifford said his team simply needed a better effort.
“It’s incredibly frustrating,” Clifford said. “I mean he [Gordon] would have helped but we had enough guys to block out and make more physical plays and not get outworked on the glass. It’s not who doesn’t play, it’s who plays.”