Meet the Opponent: Slumping Sixers Visit Streaking Magic in NBA Cup

The Philadelphia 76ers, struggling with injuries and on-court chemistry, are 2-9 — unexpected given the All-Star talent on their roster. The Magic, jelling despite the absence of two starters, are looking to extend their perfect home record.

Philadelphia 76ers head coach Nick Nurse reacts against the Cleveland Cavaliers in the third quarter at Wells Fargo Center. / Kyle Ross-Imagn Images

ORLANDO, Fla. – The Orlando Magic and Philadelphia 76ers, two teams coping differently with injuries to All-Star players, meet in NBA Cup action Friday night. Tipoff is 7 p.m. ET at the Kia Center.

The Magic – 7-6 overall, 6-0 at home and 1-0 in Cup play – are riding a four-game winning streak. Their most recent victory, 94-90 over the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday night, elevated them to third in the East.

The Sixers are 2-9 and still waiting to see the newly built trio of Paul George, Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid on the court together. Maxey will miss tonight's game with a hamstring injury.

Meet the Sixers

Key Returners [2024-25 stats]

• Joel Embiid: 13.0 points, 3.0 rebounds, 5.0 assists
• Kelly Oubre Jr.: 14.6 points, 4.7 rebounds, 1.3 assists
• Tyrese Maxey: 27.6 points, 3.0 rebounds, 3.9 assists
• Kyle Lowry: 6.9 points, 2.5 rebounds, 3.6 assists

Key Additions

• Paul George (from LAC, free agency): 17.2 points, 5.8 rebounds, 5.2 assists
• Jared McCain (No. 16 pick in 2024 NBA Draft): 13.5 points, 2.1 rebounds, 2.1 assists
• Caleb Martin (from MIA, free agency): 11.6 points, 5.7 rebounds, 2.8 assists
• Guerschon Yabusele (free agency): 9.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, 1.9 assists
• Andre Drummond (from CHI, free agency): 9.2 points, 10.0 rebounds

Key Departures

• Tobias Harris (to DET): 13.6 points 7.5 rebounds, 2.7 assists
• Buddy Hield (to GSW): 17.6 points, 4.0 rebounds, 46.7 3PT%
• De'Anthony Melton (to GSW): 10.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.8 assists

About the Sixers

Gameday Injury News to Watch

• Andre Drummond: Questionable (Illness)

MORE: Magic-Sixers Injury Report – who's in, who's out for Friday's NBA Cup action?

Notable Numbers

• 26th in net rating (28th offense, 21st defense)
• 28th in eFG%
• 25th in ast/TO (1.49)
• 2nd in opponent TO% (17.1)
• 27th in fastbreak points/game (12.1)
• 25th in points in the paint (44.0)
• 3rd in %PTS on free throws (18.3)

The Sixers are second-to-last in the Eastern Conference after 11 games. Six of their nine losses are by double figures.

Joel Embiid returns Friday night, but it's just his second game as he continues to manage issues with his knees. Paul George, who has missed six games, will be without a minutes restriction for the first time this season.

Limitations aside, George and Embiid are "Hall of Fame-caliber players," as the Magic discussed at Friday morning's shootaround, and Sixers coach Nick Nurse is one of the league's best, with an NBA title and Coach of the Year honor. This current version of the Sixers, barring any further setbacks, should improve.

That said, Orlando must take advantage of the Sixers' still-developing situation. The Magic are playing well, even without leading scorer Paolo Banchero and starting center Wendell Carter Jr. They have the best home record in the NBA.

In their four wins on this homestand, the Magic have held each opponent under 100 points — remarkable given the NBA's per-game scoring average of 113. Led by their league-best fourth-quarter defense, the Magic are allowing a league-low 103.7 points a game.

Related Stories on the Orlando Magic

• NBA CUP REFRESHER: New courts, new uniforms, new rules: everything to know about the NBA Cup. CLICK HERE
• MAGIC-SIXERS POINT SPREAD: The latest line favors the Magic slightly in Friday's NBA Cup group play action.
• MAGIC-SIXERS TV INFO: The Orlando Magic and Philadelphia 76ers square off Friday night in NBA Cup East Group A action. Here's how to watch the game, plus other relevant information for the game. CLICK HERE
• MAGIC-SIXERS INJURY REPORT: The latest on player health and status ahead of the NBA Cup East Group A game between the Orlando Magic and Philadelphia 76ers on Friday. CLICK HERE
• MAGIC'S 4TH QUARTER DEFENSE IS NBA'S BEST: The Orlando Magic own the NBA's top-ranked defense in the fourth quarter. With that, the Magic feel they "can stay with any team in the league night in and night out." CLICK HERE
• MAGIC'S NEW CITY EDITION UNIFORMS UNVEILED: The Orlando Magic's new City Edition uniforms will debut on November 23 and be worn 14 times this year. The look continues the theme of a 'Kingdom on the Rise.' CLICK HERE
• 'STEADY' GOGA PROVIDING IMPACT: Goga Bitadze could've gone anywhere this summer, but he returned to the Orlando Magic. Now he is fulfilling various roles, including the starting center position as of late, and the Magic are reaping the benefits of Bitadze's impact. CLICK HERE
• WAGNER'S GROWTH INTO NO. 1 OPTION CRITICAL: Without Paolo Banchero in the fold due to injury, the Magic's ability to stay afloat is led by Franz Wagner. His comfort in that role is crucial. CLICK HERE
• MAGIC'S NEEDED HOMESTAND: Orlando has a five-game stretch of opportunities to take advantage of at the Kia Center, where they'll need to rectify their shooting woes and change their fortune. CLICK HERE
• MAGIC'S 2024-25 SCHEDULE: See the complete slate for the Orlando Magic in 2024-25 and all the details – dates, locations, TV, tip times, and more – that you need to know. CLICK HERE

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