Orlando's offense stalls in a loss to the 76ers, setting up a match-up with the Hornets on Friday

The Orlando Magic were defeated by the Philadelphia 76ers 109-97

Going into this season, the Magic looked to take that next step with aspiration hopes of making deep into the playoffs, but injuries as well as their lack of consistent wins, cost them games that they needed to stay safe. Heading into this fight for the 7th seed, the Magic looked a bit out of it.

The first half was pretty much competitive as Pablo Banchero had a not so well-rounded effect offensively, He struggled to put the ball in the rim but was active on the defensive side of the ball. He had a couple of blocks shots that led to 10 fastbreak points in the first half. The second half, the 76ers had the basketball gods on their side as their three-point shot was flying and hitting the inside of the net. Tyrese Maxey was a menace to the Magic's defense. He was getting to his spots on the floor and helped the 76ers go on a 17-10 run late in the fourth to close out the game. Maxey finished with 31 and Desmond Bane finished with 34.

With the loss, Orlando will have to fight it out with Melo Ball and the Hornets on Friday for a trip to play the Detroit Pistions as the eight seed