NBA Preview: Magic vs 76ers

On the road tonight, Orlando looks for a little Magic against the 76ers to start a win streak to narrow the 4.5 game gap separating them from the playoffs. The 76ers need the win and many more as they are separated by 21 games from the playoff picture.  This will be the fifth meeting in the series this year.  The Orlando Magic (24-30) own the series 3-2 against the 76ers  (8-47). Last time out the 76ers defeated the Magic 96-87, though Philadelphia has been kind to the Magic as they are 2-0 there.

The Magic are in a slump as they are 4-11 in the last 15 games with their last game losing 105-102 at home to the Indiana Pacers.  Orlando will look for a spark on the road to end the slump as they won their last game on the road in overtime 118-110 against the Atlanta Hawks.  The Magic are led by former 76er, Nikola Vucevic, not only the team leader in scoring but also in rebounding, and blocks.  Vucevic averages 17.2 points per game, 9.1 rebounds per game and 1.1 points per game.  Victor Oladipo leads the teams in steals with 1.1 a game also aiding in scoring averaging 14.4 points per game.  The Magic, with a win tonight would narrow the gap for a spot in the playoffs.

The 76ers have doubled their win total in the last 15 games as they also have gone 4-11. Coming off a road loss to the Dallas Mavericks 129-103, the 76er’s look for a home win tonight.  Jahlil Okafor leads the way for the 76ers as he averages 17.4 points per game.  Last Sunday against the Mavericks, Okafor lit the scoreboard up with 31.  Nerlins Noel owns the boards for the 76ers averaging 8.1 rebounds per game.  The 76ers with a win tonight would tie the franchise record for the lowest amount of wins, nine, set in the 1972-1973 season with 27 games left to win to avoid a historically terrible franchise record.

The action will tip off at 7 p.m. from the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.