Magic Suffocate 76ers with Defense, Finish Off Perfect 5-0 Homestand

The Orlando Magic defeated the Philadelphia 76ers 98-86 on Friday night in the NBA Cup. The Magic trailed by eight late in the third quarter, then overwhelmed Philly with a 34-14 run.

Nov 15, 2024; Orlando, Florida, USA; Orlando Magic forward Franz Wagner (22) is guarded by Philadelphia 76ers guard Kyle Lowry (7) in the third quarter at Kia Center. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images / Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

ORLANDO, Fla. – These nights are becoming typical for the Orlando Magic.

Shooting lulls and turnover issues are regular features, but so is their game-altering defense. And when this Magic defense sinks its teeth, opponents suffer. Over the final 14 minutes of Friday night's contest, the Philadelphia 76ers became Orlando's latest victim.

On the back of a 34-14 second-half run, Orlando defeated Philly 98-86. The win closed out a 5-0 homestand in which all five opponents were held under 100 points – the first time that's happened in eight years.

The Magic defense made life miserable for Sixers All-Stars Joel Embiid and Paul George, who shot a combined 9-of-30 from the field.

"You cannot say enough about the intensity and the focus that these guys have and the willingness and want to guard," Magic coach Jamahl Mosley said. "This group takes pride in the way in which we guard and following the game plan and taking care of home more than anything."

The Magic improved their record to 8-6. They are 7-0 at the Kia Center. In the NBA Cup tournament, they are 2-0 with a plus-37 point differential and sit atop East Group A.

Franz Wagner logged his first double-double of the season — 31 points and 11 rebounds — for his seventh consecutive game with at least 20 points.

Jalen Suggs' shooting struggles continued Friday night – 20-of-62 during this winning streak – but once again, his hounding defense kept him on the floor. His eighth attempted three was the only one he made. Like his two free throws in Wednesday night's escape versus Indiana, the triple put an end to the drama.

The Magic's lead was 10 with 3:12 to go. The Sixers were done.

"When guys are continuing to feed you confidence, coaching staff and players alike, it feels good," Suggs said. "It gives you that mental strength to hit the next one, 'I'm going to hit the next one.' To continue shooting, and that's what happened.

"It isn't always perfect. It isn't always beautiful. But when the moment comes, you can't let prior mistakes, misses, and flow of the game affect what you have going on in the current moment."

More double-digit scoring came from Moe Wagner (14) and Jonathan Isaac (11 with nine rebounds). But postgame, Isaac was heralded for his efforts to defend both Embiid and George. Often matching his minutes with theirs, he finished plus-21 Friday night.

"Special," Mosley said of Isaac's defense against Embiid, who missed all eight of his second-half shots. "Franz did a great job on PG, but JI had him some. Kenny had him some. Then he (Isaac) switches from Paul George to Embiid, guards him one-on-one. Gets a double-team here and blocks shots at the rim. He's doing so much for us as a group that we really need him out there on the floor."

Up Next

The Magic head west for a three-game road trip beginning Monday night in Phoenix. Tipoff between the Magic and Suns is 9 p.m. ET.

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