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PHILADELPHIA — — Joel Embiid had 28 points and 11 rebounds and James Harden had 26 points and 10 assists as the Philadelphia 76ers beat the Orlando Magic 105-94 on Wednesday night.
The Sixers shared a home-and-home set with Orlando this week. The Magic bounced back from a 21-point deficit in the first quarter as he beat the 76ers 119-109 on Monday night. The loss ended his seven-game winning streak for the 76ers.
But despite uneven moments with a young rising Magic team, the Sixers held steady until the closing stages, improving to a 20-8 record at home.
Markelle Fultz leads the Magic with 18 points
NBA scoring leader Embiid made all 10 free throws and shot 9-of-17 overall to keep the Sixers close to the top seed in the Eastern Conference. rice field. Harden hit his six of his 3-pointers in his 14 for Philadelphia.
The Sixers used a 17-0 run in the first quarter to take a 56-53 lead into halftime. The Sixers’ play without Embiid reiterated the need for Philadelphia to try to get a reliable backup option for the big man. Harrell (minus 6) and Paul Reed (minus 3) struggled with limited action. With the trade deadline looming next week, 76ers president Daryl Morey will certainly try to beef up his bench.
But don’t expect a dramatic deal like last season’s deadline when the Sixers acquired Harden.
Coach Doc Rivers declined to discuss a potential move. But the Sixers’ third-year coach knows Philadelphia has the best team ever.
“I think this team is better and better equipped going into the playoffs,” Rivers said. “I think there’s toughness. We’re not that young. I think there’s less holes. Every team has holes.”
tip in
Magic: Made 6 of 39 3-pointers.
76ers: De’Anthony Melton and Tyrese Maxey combined to shoot 1-11 into three-quarters from the floor. Maxey broke through 3 midway through his fourth for a 93-83 lead.
doc and brady
Rivers was still coaching the Boston Celtics when he was first invited as a guest speaker at a New England Patriots practice. Rivers had a casual friendship with retired Tom Brady at the time. They played golf together and Brady gave the Celtics some pep talks. Brady walked in with a notebook and pen and sat in the middle of the front row.
“Then Randy Moss came in,” Rivers said with a laugh. “He got Randy. He had an empty seat where no one else would sit, grabbed Moss and said, here. I wanted to see what he was writing, like this guy is insane I don’t know what he was writing but the leadership he showed at that meeting was really impressive.I thought it was really cool.”
next
Magic: Play in Minnesota Friday night.
76ers: Friday in San Antonio.
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AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba and https://twitter.com/AP–Sports
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