The Philadelphia 76ers took the court Monday night to wrap up a quick two-game homestand. They looked to take advantage of an inexperienced Orlando Magic team and get back on track after a tough loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday.
It wasn't a pretty win for the Sixers, but one nonetheless. Behind some big plays down the stretch, they managed to walk away with a 101-96 victory. Here are some 76ers observations from the matchup.
76ers Observations
1) Orlando's frontcourt makes life miserable
Not many teams have the size to combat a bigger team like the Sixers, but Orlando gave them the most trouble in the frontcourt of anyone this season. The combination of Wendell Carter Jr. and Mo Bamba made life miserable around the rim for the Sixers.
Multiple Sixers struggled Monday night, and the play of the Magic's frontcourt was a major factor. Bamba was a disruptor as the last line of defense, swatting away six shots and altering many more. One player who was greatly affected by his presence down low was Tyrese Maxey, who shot 2/12 on the night. The small guard had trouble generating good scoring looks in the paint.
Joel Embiid is another Sixer who had a night to forget. The All-Star big man made only four of his 16 shot attempts en route to finishing with 16 points. While other factors can be attributed to this lackluster performance, dealing with a pair of capable defensive bigs did not make his night any easier.
Orlando's frontcourt deserves some credit. Even though it didn't lead to a win, they still managed to contain one of the most dominant centers the league has to offer.
2) Seth Curry puts on shooting masterclass
One player who did not struggle offensively for the 76ers is Seth Curry. After some rather quiet performances lately, the sharpshooting guard came alive against the Magic.
When all was said and done, Curry was the team's leading scorer with 24 points. What's even more impressive about his performance was his efficiency shooting. The 31-year-old made ten of his 13 attempts in the game, including going 3/5 from beyond the arc.
The Sixers desperately needed someone to get hot in this matchup, and Curry took that upon himself. Games like this are what make him such a vital piece of the Sixers' success. Opposing defenses will always focus on slowing down Embiid, and Curry makes them pay for not giving him enough attention.
3) Mental lapses
To put it simply, this game should not have been as close as it was. Orlando entered Monday's matchup with just four wins on the season. There is no reason for the 76ers to go down to the wire against such a struggling team.
Early on, the Sixers looked prepared to have the game wrapped up early. They found themselves up 16 following a hot start and were in complete control. That all changed in the second half when the Magic outworked them on both ends to claw their way back and make things interesting.
Playing down to opponents is something the 76ers have struggled with in the past, and it reared its ugly head again Monday. Because of this mental lapse, the team was forced to overexert themselves to squeak out a win they should have easily had in the first place. This hasn't been much of an issue this season, so hopefully, it is just a one-time occurrence.
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