The Philadelphia 76ers will work on consistency in an effort to deliver a complete performance at home against the Orlando Magic on Tuesday in an NBA Cup East Group B contest.
Philadelphia has alternated losses and wins in each of its last nine games. And while the Sixers haven’t lost two games in a row since early November, they haven’t won two games in a row since a four-game win streak to start the season.
Most recently, the Sixers fell to the Miami Heat 127-117 on Sunday despite 27 points from Tyrese Maxey. The dynamic guard leads the team in scoring at 33.0 points per game — second in the NBA — and has averaged a career-high 7.8 assists.
He played through a sore shoulder against Miami, carrying his typical heavy offensive load while the team navigates injuries to Joel Embiid (knee), Kelly Oubre (knee) and VJ Edgecombe (calf).
“I mean, (we do) just the best we can,” Philadelphia coach Nick Nurse said. “We’ll plug in and do what we think we need to do. Start who we need. Who’s next in line? Try to figure out what the matchups look like, who we’re playing, all that kind of stuff, and try to make some decisions that work. Some of them do. Some of them don’t, obviously, right?”
In addition to missing several key players, the Sixers also are slowly working Paul George and Jared McCain back into the lineup. McCain had his best game of the season against the Heat, finishing with 15 points in 26 minutes. George, however, shot 3 of 10 from the floor and 0 of 5 from 3-point range in an uninspiring 20-minute run.
“I think, the guys that do play, we play to the best of our ability,” said Andre Drummond, who filled in for Embiid with 14 points and 24 rebounds. “We’re playing good teams, and it’s hard to find a rhythm when we’re not knowing who we’re playing with on a nightly basis.”
The Magic had won six of seven before falling in Boston 138-129 on Sunday in the opener of their three-game road trip.
Jett Howard scored a season-high 30 points for Orlando, which continued to play without Paolo Banchero (groin). Jalen Suggs and Wendell Carter Jr. also sat out, paving the way for the Celtics to shoot 60.2% from the floor and 45.5% from 3-point range.
“I loved our team’s fight,” Orlando coach Jamahl Mosley said. “These guys just continued to battle. Our bench was in it for them. Those guys we talk about staying ready when your number is called. … Those guys stepped up and stepped into their role and accepted whatever was asked of them tonight. They did it wholeheartedly.”
Desmond Bane contributed 18 points, as did rookie Jase Richardson. Franz Wagner scored 15 points but was a minus-17 in 28 minutes.
“I think we have to do a better job (on defense). We gave up 48 in that second quarter,” Mosley said. “I think that’s what we’ve got to continue to harp on, is our defensive standard.”
Philadelphia defeated Orlando 136-124 on Oct. 27 as Maxey scored 43 points and Edgecombe added 26. Banchero (32) and Bane (24) were the top scorers for the Magic that night.
