With a great Paolo Banchero, the Magic stopped the Sixers series

Who would have thought, before this meeting, that the Sixers2nd in the East, will surprise the house of magic, 13th in both conferences, while they were riding a seven-game winning streak? Very few people. Especially when the Florida franchise was down 21 points midway through the second quarter.

Yes, but here it is: Orlando can count on a Paolo Banchero gala (29 points, 9 rebounds) to launch his amazing comeback and cool Philadelphiadespite the new big game of Joel Embiid (30 points, 11 rebounds, 5 assists). A victory snatched by forceps, but less deserved it seems, given what Philly has to offer offensively in minutes.

WHAT YOU SHOULD REMEMBER

— Philadelphia was punished. At first we thought we were witnessing a long and boring one Free, when we saw the Sixers lead by 21 points in the second quarter, then 18 points in the third. Except that the Magic did not give up and, under the force of a duo Paolo Banchero – Franz Wagner, the Philadelphia gap melted like snow in the sun, due to the loss of the ball, lack of success in the shoot and a desperate defense . Unable to kill Orlando when they had the chance, Doc Rivers’ men paid for their inability to finish the job quickly enough to avoid the final unpleasant surprise.

— Paolo Banchero, this rookie is like no other. He is only 20 years old and has only been in the NBA for a few months, but the No. 1 looks like a veteran. 1 in the last Draft. Tonight, he was all over the Sixers defense, leading PJ Tucker. In the paint, at half distance, at 3-point, off the dribble, through contact or in capture and shoot : the entire offensive panoply of the Magic’s interior came through there, as his points came at a time when Orlando was down and needed a spark to get back on track. Mission accomplished, and in style please!

TOPS/FLOPS

✅ The Wagner brothers. Franz (19 points) in the first three quarters, to keep the Magic alive with Paolo Banchero, then Moritz (22 points) in the fourth, to put Orlando ahead, then in the shelter, while contributing to failure of Joel Embiid. It’s an understatement that the two German brothers made it difficult for the Sixers last night. Between the quality of one’s shooting and shot making, as well as one’s aggressiveness under the circle and one’s clean free throws, the Magic were able to rely on a brilliant pair of Germans to take down Philadelphia.

✅ Joel Embiid. Yes, the Sixers’ All-Star center slowed down in minutes and delivered a fourth quarter unworthy of his rank, but he was still the one who, for two and a half quarters, guided his team in this game. In the mid-range, near the circle or on throws, usually in shifts from James Harden, at first he had no trouble taking the size of the opposing defense. Except he stopped afterwards and, instead of reacting like a boss, he chose to be frustrated by the refereeing decisions, rarely in his favor when he forced his game a little.

⛔ PJ Tucker. As always very discreet – not to mention useless – in attack (0 points in 28 minutes), the Sixers winger was given a rough ride in the defense of rookie Paolo Banchero, who probably had to give in gave him the impression that he looked his age (37). ). A failed performance in all respects then, which will certainly not end up providing grist to the mill of his detractors, eager to see him start matches on the bench, with less playing time.

⛔ Orlando’s introduction. His selflessness and his ability to react certainly allowed him to come back in this game, but we must not forget that Magic was royally hidden in the first fifteen minutes of the match. Crushed in the paint, too often sanctioned by the refereeing corps, bereft of skill and powerless in front of Joel Embiid, Tobias Harris and the rest of James Harden, Florida’s players – including the starters and substitutes – just didn’t start. meet each other So this delay of twenty points, allegedly from the second quarter.

THE FOLLOWING

Philadelphia (32-17) : new match against Orlando, in the evening of Wednesday to Thursday (01:00).

Orlando (20-31) : new match in Philadelphia, in the evening of Wednesday to Thursday (01:00).