Following a heartbreaking double-overtime loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Sixers will look to get back in the win column against the Orlando Magic.
This game will take place at home before hitting the road for four more away games for the Sixers. With the Sixers now at 10-10 on the season, this will be a game they must take seriously and beg to build some momentum ahead of the road trip. The game will tip-off at 7:00.
Who are the Orlando Magic?
With the Sixers in need of a win, the Magic are a pretty solid target to set their sights on. With a record of 4-17 on the year, the Magic sit in last place in the Eastern Conference and hold the second-worst lead in the league. The Magic come into this game riding a six-game losing streak and failed to find a win in nine of their last ten games.
The Magic rank pretty poorly on both sides of the ball as they are 28th in the league in points per game (99.8) and 25th in opponents points per game (110.9). The roster is filled with a solid amount of young and enticing talent but is still years away from seriously competing. They are led in scoring by Cole Anthony, who averages 19.6 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 5.9 assists, but Anthony will not be available due to an ankle issue.
Rookies Jalen Suggs and Franz Wagner have each impressed early on this year after being drafted with the 5th, and 8th picks in last year’s draft. Suggs made his name in last year’s NCAA tournament run with Gonzaga and has started every game for the Magic so far this year, where he is averaging 12.1 points per game. Wagner has been impressive early on in the season, averaging 12.7 points, 4.3 rebounds while shooting 36.1% from beyond the arc.
Danny Green Back in Starting Lineup?
One storyline to watch from the Sixers’ perspective is what to do with the starting lineup. The Sixers have already rolled out 12 different starting lineups this season due to the injuries and Covid concerns.
As the Sixers return to full strength, they will begin to get back to a regular rotation. One of these factors involves the usage of Danny Green, who has been on a minutes restriction since returning from his hamstring injury, but he hinted that may change tonight.
Green has looked much better since returning from injury and played a valuable role off the bench for the team. He is coming off back-to-back 4 steal games and added 10 and 13 points in the last two games.
Matisse Thybulle has filled his role over the last two games with the staters but lacks the necessary respect on offense to space the floor in the way the Sixers desire. The defensive excellence of Matisse ensures that he will be a part of the rotation, but he does not appear ready to handle a full-time starting role at this point.
Outlook for Sixers
It is far from time to panic for the Sixers, but it is time to start tallying up some wins. This is a great opportunity, and it is a pleasant change that the Sixers are the healthier team entering the game. Aside from Shake Milton being listed as questionable and Ben Simmons still being away from the team, the Sixers enter this game at full strength.
This will be a valuable chance to begin to build back chemistry after a rocky start in the Timberwolves game where things did not click on all cylinders. The Magic are considered 13.5 point underdogs in this one, and if the Sixers can capitalize on this game early and send the Magic packing, it would go a long way to easing the pressure on the team moving forward.
