Brandon Apter, Sports Talk Philly editor 
The Philadelphia 76ers (18-34) look to get back in the win column tonight in their second half of a back-to-back in Orlando against the Magic (20-34). The two teams have met twice already with Orlando taking both games. Once again, the Sixers will be without the services of Joel Embiid, who continues to rest his left knee. Jahlil Okafor will aim to build on a strong effort on Wednesday at home against San Antonio as he gets the start tonight against the Magic.
After winning nine of their first 12 games in January, Philadelphia has slumped lately, dropping five in a row and seven of their last eight. Meanwhile, the Magic have lost seven of nine and two straight.
Last Meeting:
After taking the first meeting by just two, 103-101, the Magic defeated the Sixers 105-88 back in early December at the Wells Fargo Center. Although Philadelphia got a 25 point, 10 rebound effort from Joel Embiid, the Sixers could never climb back from their seven-point first quarter deficit. The Sixers shot just 37.9 percent from the floor and missed 20 of their 26 shots in the first quarter, which allowed Orlando to start the game on a 16-0 run. Jahlil Okafor had 16 points and 13 rebounds as him and Embiid were the only two Sixers to crack double figures in scoring. Orlando was led by Aaron Gordon, who scored 20, and Nik Vucevic, who finished with 12 points and 11 boards. Three other Magic players had 16 points as well.
Embiid's return not determined:
The Sixers finally returned to practice in Camden, NJ, on Wednesday and while many were hoping for a timetable for an Embiid return, it was not given. Instead, he was officially ruled out for the teams' games against San Antonio and Orlando with this weekend's contests up in the air status-wise. Brett Brown alluded to them keeping him out as a precaution, so there's a chance we could see the rookie center rest his knee until after the All-Star Game.
Embiid suffered his bone bruise/left knee contusion against Portland on January 20. Following the game against the Rockets on the 27th, he said that bruises normally take 2-3 weeks to heal, but he felt okay. Clearly, the Sixers believe he needs to be 100 percent before putting him back out there. Friday night would mark three weeks since he injured the knee, so hopefully he returns on Saturday when the Sixers host the Heat before hitting the road to Charlotte and Boston.
Okafor focusing on Sixers, not rumors:
Jahlil Okafor has been the center of Sixers trade talks over the last few days, with one significant rumor involving the former third overall pick heading to New Orleans for a player and a pick. Those reports came on Monday and there hasn't been any new news about Okafor leaving Philadelphia at this point. He had a strong 20 point, eight rebound effort against the Spurs on Wednesday and is just remaining focused on where he is now, not where he could be going.
"I have no idea,” Okafor said in regard to his future after the Sixers' 111-103 loss to the Spurs on Wednesday. “I'm a Sixer right now and we have a big game tomorrow night (in Orlando). I am right now. I'm going to keep doing what I do. I work as hard as I can for this team and this organization and we'll see what happens.” [CSNPhilly.com]
This season, Okafor is averaging 11.8 points and 4.9 rebounds per game, a far cry from his 17.5 points and seven boards per game averages in his first season.
Previous Game Rewind:
Sixers: The Sixers kept things close for the majority of Wednesday's game, but couldn't stop the veteran Spurs down the stretch to put together a rally. San Antonio led by six after one and by a score of 58-51 at halftime. The teams drew an even third quarter before the Sixers cut the Spurs lead to two at the beginning of the fourth. That's as close as they'd get though, falling by eight. Danny Green hit a three with just over two minutes to play, increased the Spurs lead to 11. San Antonio took the game by a 111-103 final score.
Magic: Orlando chipped away at a 23-point Rockets lead, getting it down to a single-digit deficit in the fourth. Houston responded with two straight three's though, pulling ahead by 15 to close the game out. James Harden had 25 points and 13 assists. Aaron Gordon left the game for the Magic early with an injury and is listed as day-to-day. Serge Ibaka led Orlando's offense with 28 points while Evan Fournier contributed with 21.
| Matchup Preview | January 1, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Philadelphia 76ers (18-34, 6-18 Away) |
Orlando Magic (20-34, 9-16 Home) |
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Game Information:
Tip-off: 7:00 p.m.
Location: Amway Center, Orlando, Florida
TV: CSN
Radio: 97.5 The Fanatic
