Something has to give in this game. The Philadelphia 76ers have not won a game in the month of February and have lost 11 overall. They face the Orlando Magic, who have not won a road game since Dec. 16, having lost 16 consecutive games away from their home court.
There are no ties in basketball, even if it means going to overtime. It just so happens these two clubs did so last time they faced each other. The game was in Philadelphia, making Orlando the road team, so naturally, they won.
Since then, each team has gotten considerably worse. The Sixers of course traded Evan Turner, Spencer Hawes and LaVoy Allen. There is no reason whatsoever Danny Granger actually suits up and plays tonight.
Orlando bought out Glen “Big Baby” Davis’ contract and will likely be without Aaron Afflalo, as he did not travel to Washington for Tuesday’s game. The assumption, according to insider Dei Lynam, is that he will not play tonight.
So Philadelphia lost about 35 points of production and Orlando will be down 30 from the last meeting. As if the teams were not sloppy enough.
In the middle of all that slop will at least be one interesting matchup. In a battle of rookie, the consensus first and second options for Rookie of the Year, Michael Carter-Williams and Victor Oladipo will square off in the back courts of each squad. Oladipo averages 14 points a night while “MCW” averages over 17. Carter-Williams’ production figures to only increase, as Philadelphia is lacking scoring options. Oladipo, on the other hand, is heating up and is averaging 22.3 points per game over his last three games.
Plus, Orlando’s starting lineup features three players with local ties to Philadelphia. Veteran point guard Jameer Nelson returns 10 years after his improbable run to player of the year in college basketball, in a year his Saint Joe’s Hawks are having their most success since his graduation. The Magic also start two players the Sixers gave up to get Andrew Bynum, Maurice Harkless and Nikola Vucevic.
Injuries: Brandon Davies (finger) will not play, nor will Jason Richardson and Nerlens Noel, who recover from reconstructive knee surgery. As mentioned, Afflalo is doubtful.
Starting Lineups:
Orlando:
PG- Jameer Nelson
SG- Victor Oladipo
SF- Maurice Harkless
PF Tobias Harris
C- Nikola Vucevic
Philadelphia:
PG- Michael Carter-Williams
SG- Tony Wrotten
SF- James Anderson
PF- Thaddeus Young
C- Arnett Moultrie
Prediction: Orlando snaps its losing streak and Philadelphia heads into March like, well, not a lion. 120-108 Magic.
