In terms of match-ups, the one taking place at the Wells Fargo Center tonight may be the best of the season thus far for Philadelphia. Standing at 0-4, the Sixers host a fellow 0-4 team, the Orlando Magic tonight. Each team will enter the game with a double-digit point differential for points allowed compared to those scored.
Another similarity among the two teams is they are both playing without their sophomore studs. The Sixers are of course without Michael Carter-Williams, as he recovers from shoulder surgery. But the Magic are also missing the man that was runner-up to MCW in the Rookie of the Year voting, Victor Oladipo, with a facial fracture. Each team is in dire need of these players, as they are cornerstones for what they are building long-term. The impact has clearly been felt on the court, as the teams have obviously not been very competitive.
One in-game match up that will be competitive will be in the post with Nerlens Noel and Nikola Vucevic. Noel, fresh off being outplayed by veteran Dwight Howard, gets to play with the man that was previously supposed to be the Sixers’ big man of the future. In his fourth season as a pro, Vucevic has been spectacular this season, averaging 17.7 points per game and 15.7 rebounds. The Sixers are where they are, a rebuilding team, in large part due to the failed trade that sent Vucevic away. If they had sat tight with him and not rushed to push him out in attempt to upgrade with Andrew Bynum, they very well may have been in the playoffs in each of the past two seasons. Instead, they get to rebuild side-by-side with the Magic.
Game Notes:
- The Magic took the season series last season, taking three out of four games.
- Against the Sixers last year, Vucevic averaged 20 points and 15.3 rebounds.
- The Magic have a pair of former Sixers draft picks that ultimately did not play for the team, in Maurice Harkless and Elfrid Payton. In addition to Vucevic, former long-time Sixer Willie Green is also on Orlando.
- With a rookie point guard, the Magic are struggling to get set and protect the ball. Philadelphia is second in the league in points off turnovers, netting 23.5 points per game.
- This will be the back end of a road back-to-back for Orlando, having just lost to the Bulls by eight points last night.
Injuries:
Oladipo and Carter-Williams are out. Joel Embiid (foot), Jerami Grant (ankle) and Jason Richardson (knee/foot) are all out for Philadelphia as well.
Starting Lineups
Orlando
PG- Elfrid Payton
SG- Evan Fournier
SF- Tobias Harris
PF- Channing Frye
C- Nikola Vucevic
Philadelphia
PG- Tony Wroten
SG- Hollis Thompson
SF- Chris Johnson
PF- Nerlens Noel
C- Henry Sims
Prediction: The Sixers keep it close, but the Magic, having more NBA players on its roster, pull away with a five point victory in the fourth, 92-87.
