Magic send 76ers to fifth consecutive loss
PHILADELPHIA -- Aaron Gordon scored a season-high 20 points and the Orlando Magic beat Philadelphia 105-88 on Friday night, handing the 76ers their fifth straight loss.
Gordon began the night averaging 9.3 points on 38.9 percent shooting from the field, including 27.3 percent from 3-point range, but went 9 of 14 from the floor, including 2 of 4 from behind the arc.
Evan Fournier, Jeff Green and Serge Ibaka added 16 points apiece for the Magic, losers five times in their previous six games.
Former 76ers player Nik Vucevic contributed 12 points, 11 rebounds and five assists, and Bismack Biyombo grabbed 13 rebounds for Orlando, which held Philadelphia to 37.9 percent shooting from the field.
Joel Embiid had 25 points and 10 rebounds to lead Philadelphia. Jahlil Okafor added 16 points and 13 boards.
Orlando, leading 50-42 at the half, outscored the Sixers 42-21 in the first 15 minutes of the second half to take command at 92-63. The Magic nailed eight 3-pointers during that stretch, three of those by D.J. Augustin.
Philadelphia drew no closer than 15 the rest of the way.
Gordon scored 15 first-half points, 11 in the first quarter, as Orlando built a 50-42 lead at the break.
Embiid countered with 13 for Philadelphia, but the Sixers shot just 35.4 percent from the floor in the half, missing 13 straight shots duringone first-quarter stretch.
NOTES: The Sixers sent C-F Nerlens Noel, who has yet to play this season after undergoing minor surgery on his left knee in late October, to the Delaware 87ers of the NBA Development League so he could take part in practice. He was recalled later in the day. ... Orlando G Jodie Meeks made his first appearance of the season after missing the first 19 games with a broken right foot. "We need shooting," Magic coach Frank Vogel said, "and that's what he does." ... Philadelphia G Jerryd Bayless missed his third straight game with a sore left wrist.