ORLANDO, FL – It’s like they just rn out of gas. It’s demoralizing to see you teammates drop like flies, even as some return to the court.
The Philadelphia 76ers do note care. They entered the court missing their top three players, Joel Embiid (Foot sprain), James Harden (right foot injury), and Tyrese Maxey (fractured left foot), yeet they stink managed to dominate the Orlando Magic 133-103.
Orlando was definitely short handed as they are missing key players Markelle Fultz, Wendell Carter Jr, Chuma Okeke, and Cole Anthony, as well as recently losing Jalen Suggs to ankle soreness and losing Terrance Ross and Mo Bamba mid game to an illness and back spasms.
It’s easy get demoralized in that situation, but that’s not the way of the NBA. It’s a no excuses league. Even if you are short handed, you’ve got to get out there and give 110%.
The Magic were dominated in the paint 72-44 and on fast breaks 26-16. When asked about it Magic Head Coach Jamal Mosely had some things to say.
“We didn’t play any defense. We didn’t play any.” said Mosley That’s the reality of it right there”
“It was more effort based than anything, understanding that we’ve got bodies down, we’re beat up, we’re losing guys left and right. But the guys on the court have to come ready to play, play the right way, and play for one another.”
the Sixers shot a near record 65% on Sunday against the Magic, plus Orlando gave up 16 turnovers that leads to 26 Sixers points.
The Sixers stars were not there, but, but Shake Milton (29 points) and Tobias Harris (25 points) were on hand to pick up the scoring, as well as Danuel House, scoring 19 points off of the bench.
Orlando had the difficulty of bringing players that re getting their timing back, with Gary Harris, Mo Wagner, and Paolo Banchero just returning to regular play. Banchero managed 18 points in 31 minutes play, while Franz Wagner scored 17 points while playing with some ligament injuries to his hand, and his brother Mo scoring 12.
the Magic had a ray of hope coming into this game, where Fultz’s injury status was changed form “Out” to “Questionable” on Saturday night, leaving open the possibility that he may ave started for this Sixers Math up. But at his pregame press conference, Coach Moseley said that “We’re going to give Markelle a few more days”.
Both Terrance Ross and Kevon Harris were both struggling with a stomach bug that’s goin around, its hopefully that they will return to play soon.
It doesn’t get any easier for the Magic going forward.
They travel to Brooklyn to face the Nets on Monday the 28th, the off to Atlanta to face off against the Hawks on Wednesday the 30th, and back to Orlando to face the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday December 2nd and the Raptors on December 3rd, both in Orlando.
