National Basketball Association

Orlando Magic Grades: Orlando Magic 103, Philadelphia 76ers 101

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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The Orlando Magic recorded their first win of the season, making a come-from-behind effort against the Philadelphia 76ers on the road.

VS.

	1	2	3	4	T
Magic	24	19	41	19	103
76ers	29	28	30	14	101

It took forever to click. And even when it finally did click, it was unclear if it would be enough. The Philadelphia 76ers found their way get through the cracks in the Magic. Orlando was desperately trying to hang around seemingly from the opening tip.

If there was a sign things can still work for the Magic that things are not as dire as they seemed through parts of the Magic’s 103-101 win over the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center, it was in the finish.

That is where Nikola Vucevic contested a Dario Saric shot along the baseline and helped collect the rebound, setting up Evan Fournier‘s runner to tie the game. That is where Elfrid Payton had a timely dig to free the ball from Joel Embiid. That is where the Magic nearly botched the execution on the next play only to see the ball roll to Serge Ibaka where he was fouled hard by T.J. McConnell for a flagrant foul.

Ibaka made both free throws. The Magic led for 21 seconds. Only 1.2 of them mattered for them.

Orlando looked lost as ever, falling behind 10-0 off the bat and by as much as 18 points in the game. The Magic fought back time and time again. Their defense snapped to attention and gave the Magic a chance.

They hit their first 11 shots in a 41-point third quarter to get back into the game. And even as they missed some shots in the fourth quarter, they found a way to keep fighting and stay in the game. Until finally they broke through. Until finally they had the lead and the final buzzer sounded.

For sure, the full 48 minutes was not pretty. Questions remain for the Magic. Big questions.

But the Magic fought hard. They dug down deep and figured out how to do what they need to do to get a win. The question is now whether they can repeat that process.

Serge Ibaka

F/C, Orlando Magic

Tuesday’s game again showed more signs of life. Ibaka played a big role in the Magic’s comeback. When he was engaged and active around the basket, the Magic were much better offensively. Ibaka proved himself again and again with big play after big play. On both ends.

Ibaka scored 21 points on 8-for-12 shooting with four rebounds and two blocks. This is more the stat line the Magic were expected from Ibaka. The Magic had a 93.9 defensive rating with Ibaka on the floor.

He was not strong the entire night. He struggled a lot with the stretch-4s the 76ers employed. And there were moments where Ibaka still looked a step slow.

But overall, this was a good game from Ibaka. Perhaps his best in his short time in a Magic uniform.

Elfrid Payton

PG, Orlando Magic

On offense, Payton was good more often than not, as he has been throughout the season. Payton finished with 18 points and 10 assists on 8-for-17 shooting. He was aggressive trying to get into the lane and distributed the ball well. He made the Sixers defense collapse, even as they packed the paint.

Defensively remains more of a mixed bag. There were plenty of plays where Payton made a great defensive play. His quick hands helped deflect passes and disrupt the defense.

Then again, Payton still had trouble navigating screens. Sergio Rodriguez had 12 points and 11 assists himself and did a good job driving into the lane to cause the Magic defense to collapse. Orlando struggled to get out to the perimeter at times and that is how the 76ers built a large lead. Things still are not perfect. And Payton is the crux of that problem.

Tuesday night in this first win, Payton was more good than bad.

Nikola Vucevic

C, Orlando Magic

Even going up against Joel Embiid, Vucevic was able to get the best of the rookie. Certainly Embiid had his moments. He blocked a late hook shot on Vucevic as Vucevic tried to iso him and was able to outmuscle Vucevic late in the game too.

But Vucevic was typically in good position. He continues to look better defensively (although he still has plenty of shortcomings). And Vucevic continues to be the Magic’s rock offensively. He was a big reason why the Magic were able to stay in this game and eventually pull out the win.

Jeff Green

F, Orlando Magic

Green scored two points, missing four of his five shots. He drove too deep into the lane and could not pass his way out, settling for tough shots.

On top of that, Green continues to struggle defensively. He was beat off the dribble on the wings often as Philadelphia went small often throughout the game. It was not an encouraging sign for the Magic’s veteran free agent signee.

Philadelphia 76ers

0-3, 14th East

Joel Embiid is every bit worth the hype. He scored 18 points and 10 rebounds to go with four blocks. Dario Saric broke out of his slump to score 21 points on 9-for-15 shooting and a 70 percent effective field goal percentage. Philadelphia hit 9 of 21 3-pointers for the game and did a good job moving the ball to get open shots when the Magic defense collapsed.

Philadelphia played hard and moved the ball incredibly well. This is a much improved team and a much improved roster. The 76er played hard and played well. But they could not muster enough offense or stops to win. That is the sign of a young team.