3 observations after Sixers blow 21-point lead, winning streak ends at 7 originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia
Though the Sixers’ winning streak was bound to end at some stage, it ended in dismal fashion Monday night.
The team blew a 21-point lead at home to the Magic and fell to a 119-109 loss.
With their seven-game streak over, the Sixers are 32-17. Orlando is 20-31.
No. 1 pick Paolo Banchero posted 29 points and 10 rebounds in his first professional game in Philadelphia. Joel Embiid’s 30 points and 11 boards led the Sixers.
Playing his first game at Wells Fargo Center since being traded from the Sixers in February of 2019, Markelle Fultz posted 12 points on 4-for-14 shooting and 10 assists.
The Sixers will take on Orlando again Wednesday night in Philadelphia. Here are observations on their loss Monday:
Orlando’s early nightmare
The Magic’s first seven minutes or so were truly nightmarish.
A James Harden mid-range make and an Embiid and-one runner helped the Sixers grab an 8-0 lead. Meanwhile, the Magic relied on jumpers and missed nearly all of them. Fultz scored Orlando’s first four points. His teammates combined to begin 0 for 13 from the floor.
Embiid lived with Wendell Carter Jr. and Mo Wagner three-point attempts. In the paint, he was explosive and imposing. After rejecting a Franz Wagner layup, Embiid leaped high to secure a Harden lob and score inside. De’Anthony Melton’s fast-break layup gave the Sixers a 21-4 lead.
The start of Monday’s game was a reminder that facing Embiid (and the Sixers in general) can be a bit intimidating. The young Magic have earned wins against strong opposition this season, including three against the Celtics, but they didn’t seem at all eager to attack the paint in the first quarter. Meanwhile, the Sixers sought out contact early, drew the game’s first eight free throws, and made seven of them.
Back to the all-bench unit
Sixers head coach Doc Rivers returned to his preferred substitution pattern for Embiid.
Story continues
He’d used Embiid in shorter first-half stints during Saturday’s win over the Nuggets. However, Rivers said pregame that he…
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Author : NBC Sports Philadelphia
Publish date : 2023-01-31 02:30:00
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