National Basketball Association

Magic Musings: Lineup switch comes up short in loss to 76ers

Published Dec. 21, 2014 8:40 p.m. ET

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ORLANDO, Fla. -- A starting lineup change Sunday night wasn't enough to prevent the Orlando Magic from becoming only the third team this season to lose to the Philadelphia 76ers.

After falling behind by 11 points midway through the third quarter, the Sixers went on to outwork and outhustle the Magic in coming away with a 96-88 victory. Not even a game-high 23 points from Victor Oladipo could stop the Magic from falling to a team that began the season with 17 losses in a row and had the worst record in the NBA at 2-23.

Having lost at home Friday night to the Utah Jazz, the Magic made two changes to their starting lineup, going with rookie Elfrid Payton at one guard spot instead of Evan Fournier and Kyle O'Quinn at power forward in place of Channing Frye. Payton came out aggressive but was no factor in the second half. O'Quinn blocked four shots and also hit a 3-point field goal for the fourth time this season.

Fournier provided a spark off the bench with 16 points, including three 3-pointers. The first of those gave the Magic a 58-56 lead, which would be the last time they were ahead all game.

Nikola Vucevic recorded his 16th double-double in 24 games and 100th for his career with 19 points and 17 rebounds. Despite that, the Magic failed to crack the 100-point mark for the 14th time in their last 16 games.

Even with Fournier's production, the Magic were outscored 37-20 off the bench by the Sixers, who got 12 points from Henry Sims and 10 from Tony Wroten.

THE TURNING POINT

The Sixers outscored the Magic 22-7 to end the third quarter and 7-0 to start the fourth quarter.

THE DIFFERENCE MAKER

Michael Carter-Williams led the Sixers with 21 points, including a 3-pointer as the shot clock was about to expire that gave them a 78-64 lead.

STAT OF THE GAME

The 37 points the Sixers had at halftime were a season low for any Magic opponent.

WHAT'S NEXT

Tuesday night vs. Boston, 7 p.m.

You can follow Ken Hornack on Twitter @HornackFSFla or email him at khornack32176@gmail.com.

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