Sixers outlast Magic in play-in tournament, will face Celtics in first round of playoffs
Philadelphia is returning to the playoffs after missing out last season.
Desmond Bane was keeping the Magic alive Wednesday night in a play-in tournament matchup deciding the Eastern Conference’s No. 7 seed. Philadelphia 76ers star Tyrese Maxey broke his spell.
Bane, who scored a valiant 34 points and accounted for four of Orlando’s seven 3s, fueled a comeback that nearly erased an 11-point Sixers lead. Before Bane could complete the turnaround, Maxey waved his wand in the fourth quarter. Poof.
The two-time All-Star guard pocketed nine of Philadelphia’s next 11 points, including seven in a row. Maxey finished with 31 points and six assists, and veteran center Andre Drummond sunk a 3-pointer that put an exclamation point on a 109-97 victory. With the win, the Sixers now have the No.
7 seed and a date with the rival Boston Celtics, the Eastern Conference’s No. 2 seed, in the first round of the playoffs. The Magic, meanwhile, are in jeopardy of missing out on the main bracket.
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