Banchero, Magic rally from early hole, down 76ers
Paolo Banchero had 29 points and 10 rebounds as the Magic stormed back from a 21-point first-quarter deficit to beat the 76ers 119-109 in Philadelphia on Monday night.
Mo Wagner scored 22 points and his younger brother Franz Wagner scored 19 for Orlando, which stopped a three-game skid and ended the Sixers’ sevengame winning streak.
Joel Embiid had 30 points and 11 rebounds for Philadelphia, his 27th game this season scoring 30 or more and his ninth in the past 10.
The Magic methodically worked their way back from the early hole, trimming the Sixers’ lead to 10 points at halftime. Orlando went ahead for the first time on a 3-pointer by Gary Harris
in the third quarter.
The Magic took the lead for good with 7:03 to play when Mo Wagner made a reverse layup, was fouled and converted the free-throw try. Wagner converted another three-point play 19 seconds later when he was fouled by Embiid on a driving layup.
Philadelphia head coach Doc Rivers unsuccessfully challenged the foul call on Embiid, insisting his big man had established defensive position.
Cole Anthony followed with a 3-pointer to cap a 9-0 Orlando run, and the Sixers got no closer than six points the rest of the way.
Tobias Harris and James Harden scored 17 points apiece for the Sixers.
Philadelphia has been the hottest team in the NBA for nearly two months but has benefited from playing the league’s thirdeasiest schedule entering the game. The Sixers have the second-hardest schedule remaining and will play 17 games in March, 11 on the road.
Nets 121, Lakers 104: Kyrie Irving had 26 points, seven rebounds and six assists to lead host Brooklyn over Los Angeles, which played without LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
Patty Mills and Cam Thomas added 21 points apiece for the Nets, who won their second straight and are 4-6 since Kevin Durant sprained a ligament in his right knee.
Lakers head coach Darvin Ham said James was experiencing “significant soreness” in his left foot and would be evaluated Tuesday to see if he could play at New York that night.
Kings 118, T’wolves 111: DeAaron Fox scored 32 points and Trey
Lyles scored eight of his 11 points in overtime as visiting Sacramento beat Minnesota. Anthony Edwards led the Timberwolves with 33 points.
Wizards 127, Spurs 106: Deni Avdija had a career-high 25 points, Bradley Beal had 21 points and Washington ended a 22-game losing streak in San Antonio. Keldon Johnson had 26 points for the Spurs, who have lost six straight games.