Beede’s Breakdown: Magic fall at Sixers, to host Hornets on Friday for playoff spot
PHILADELPHIA — The Magic will have one last chance Friday to advance to the playoffs after falling to the 76ers in the Nos. 7-8 game of the NBA play-in tournament on Wednesday night. In a tight, chippy contest that featured 12 lead changes and was tied nine times, the Sixers pulled away late in a 109-97 victory inside Xfinity Mobile Arena in front of national TV audience on Amazon’s Prime Video.
Despite Desmond Bane (34 points), Paolo Banchero (18) and Anthony Black (13) combining for 65 points, Orlando was unable to overcome a late surge by the Sixers, who advance to the first round of the playoffs. Playing without five-time All-NBA center Joel Embiid, Philadelphia’s Tyrese Maxey (31 points), Kelly Oubre Jr. (19) and rookie VJ Edgecombe (19) totaled 69 points.
With the loss, the No. 8 Magic (45-37) will now host No. 9 Charlotte on Friday night in a win-or-go-home contest with the No.
8 seed in the playoffs on the line. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p. m.
on Prime Video. The winner would open its best-of-seven series at No. 1 Detroit on Sunday.