(SportsNetwork.com) – A pair of 0-4 teams desperate for a taste of victory
tangle Wednesday in south Philly, as the 76ers play host to the Orlando Magic
at Wells Fargo Center.
The 76ers haven’t started 0-5 since 2001-02, the year after they lost to the
Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA Finals. Reigning NBA MVP Allen Iverson and the
Sixers ripped off seven straight wins after that slow start.
Philadelphia is in the midst of a four-game homestand and has dropped
decisions to Miami and Houston so far. The undefeated Rockets left the
building with a 104-93 triumph, as James Harden pumped in 35 points and sank
17-of-18 free throws.
Tony Wroten led the Sixers with 20 points, K.J. McDaniels had 14 and Brandon
Davies finished with 13. Philadelphia, which trailed 32-19 after 12 minutes,
shot 44.6 percent and turned the ball over 18 times for 27 Houston points.
However, the Sixers scored 35 points on 22 Houston miscues.
“No matter if we’re down two or down 20 we’re never going to give up. The NBA
is a game of runs,” Wroten said.
The 76ers have allowed 100 or more points three times in four games this
season and haven’t scored more than 96 points.
Philly will host Chicago Friday night to close out this homestand and was
10-31 at Wells Fargo Center last season.
Orlando last started 0-4 back in 1990-91, when it lost the first six games.
The losing ways continued Tuesday for the Magic in a 98-90 loss to the Derrick
Rose-less Chicago Bulls at the United Center. Tobias Harris led the visitors
with 21 points and Nik Vucevic added 19 and 13 rebounds in the loss.
There were 20 lead changes in the game and Magic were competitive until the
Bulls pulled away in the fourth quarter.
“You have to give them credit for really executing down the stretch,” Magic
head coach Jacque Vaughn said.
Evan Fournier scored 13 points in a losing cause.
Orlando has lost eight in a row dating back to last season and has only four
wins since early March. It is currently playing seven of nine games on the
road.
The Magic won three of four games against the 76ers in 2013-14 and are 19-4 in
the past 23 meetings between the conference foes. The Magic have played well
lately in south Philly, going 13-4 in the last 17 visits there.
