10 thoughts and tidbits on Sixers vs. Magic play-in tournament game

10 thoughts and tidbits on Sixers vs. Magic play-in tournament game originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

If Wednesday night proceeds according to plan for the Sixers, there’s 48 minutes between them and the playoffs.

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Ahead of their No. 7 vs. No. 8 play-in tournament game vs. the Magic, here are 10 thoughts and tidbits on the matchup:

1. It’s interesting to consider who will start at center and how Sixers head coach Nick Nurse will divvy out minutes there without Joel Embiid (appendectomy recovery).

Adem Bona made several brilliant, high-flying defensive plays early in the Sixers’ Oct. 27 win over Orlando. He picked up two quick fouls, though. Bona started the Sixers’ last three games but played less than Andre Drummond every time. It would not qualify as a major surprise if Nurse prefers to start Drummond for this matchup. Drummond’s physicality and rebounding may very well appeal to Nurse against a big Orlando team that’s good on the glass.

Starting Magic center Wendell Carter Jr. is somewhat of a stretch five, although that doesn’t appear like it should be a significant factor in how the Sixers handle their center minutes. Carter could always heat up, but he’s shot just 31.9 percent from three-point range this season on 2.9 attempts per game. Goga Bitadze will play behind Carter. He knows his role well as a rim protector and rebounder who can chip in double-figure scoring nights on occasion.

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2. Orlando’s size and strength can be overwhelming. One place that could hurt the Sixers is when the Magic attack before the defense is set. Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner will be happy to go right to the rim against Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe or any smaller defender they see in transition.

The Sixers’ transition defense was again a weakness this year. According to Cleaning the Glass, the Sixers’ opponents added 3.4 points per 100 possessions through transition play, which ranked 25th in the NBA.

3. Wagner, Banchero and the Magic aren’t shy about using their size to help earn trips to the foul line. Orlando led the league in free throw rate, per Cleaning the…

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Publish date : 2026-04-14 03:42:00

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