Sixers Snap Six-Game Home Losing Streak to Magic In 74-69 Grinder
(AP/Photo)
The Sixers have feasted on teams in the lower half of the Eastern Conference while enjoying an impressive home stand - sprinting out to a 14-6 start. Skeptics have lined up, reluctant to anoint the Sixers as a legitimate contender in the East.
Everyone can breathe easy now.
The Sixers outscored the Orlando Magic 21-9 in the 3rd quarter and led by as many as 19 points on their way to a 74-69 victory, sending the Magic to their fourth consecutive defeat.
(H. Rumph Jr./AP/Photo)
The Sixers shot out of the blocks hard in a week that will determine the true direction the team is headed in this sprint of a season. Doug Collins’ bunch improved to 15-6 with a gutsy 74-69 victory over a reeling Orlando Magic squad without point guard Jameer Nelson who is experiencing concussion-like symptoms. The Sixers and Magic battled back and forth in an ugly first half that saw both teams combine for 70 points.
The Sixers jumped on the Magic defensively in the second half, in particular the third quarter which saw the Sixers yield the Magic to only eight points. Both teams shot poorly from the floor (Sixers 37.5%, Magic 33.3%) but defending in a game like this puts some pearls on a pig of a game. Collins opened up his presser handing out pearls but was just as concerned about the way his team closed things out – allowing a 19-point advantage to shrink to single digits.
“That was a much-needed win for us here with what we have ahead of us this week. I thought our defense was fabulous until the last three minutes of the game. I let our guys know at the end of the game I was very, very happy with the win. I was not happy with the way we finished the game. If we’re going to be a team that’s going to be a legit team in the playoffs and stuff, then we can’t let teams score 18 points in the last three minutes and not get one stop. And so I let them know. I think you have to do that after a win and not after a loss.”
The Sixers held Dwight Howard to 17 points on 17 field goal attempts and no Magic player had more than six field goals made. Ryan Anderson had 14 points and 20 rebounds for the Magic, who won the battle on the glass 55-47 – the only portion of the game that the visitors would dominate.
The Sixers made a conscious effort to hit the boards and make Howard’s life miserable. Veteran Tony Battie made the most of his time filling in again for the injured Spencer Hawes (Achillies) going for eight points, nine rebounds and an exceptional defensive job on Howard. Elton Brand (8 pts. 7 rebs. 4 blks.) was solid in 30 minutes of action. Andre Iguodala, coming off of a triple-double flirted with another one as he scored 14 points, 11 rebounds and 6 assists. The Sixers bench logged heavy minutes in another solid performance led by Evan Turner with 12 points.
The Sixers face the Bulls for the first time this season Wednesday night.