Magic at 76ers
THE STORY: The Philadelphia 76ers are one of the hottest teams in basketball and the Orlando Magic have suddenly lunged into a deep funk. The two teams meet Monday in Philadelphia as the 76ers seek another double-digit home victory. Philadelphia is 10-2 at home with all the victories coming by 10 or more points. The 76ers are 3-1 on their seven-game homestand that gets tougher later this week when the Chicago Bulls (Wednesday) and Miami Heat (Friday) are the opponents. Philadelphia had a season-low six turnovers in Saturday’s 95-74 victory over the Detroit Pistons. Orlando has lost four of five games after an 11-4 start and Sunday’s 106-85 loss to the Indiana Pacers was the third defeat by 20 or more points in seven days. “It’s been a miserable week overall,” guard J.J. Redick said. “I wish I could pinpoint one thing. I wish there was an algebraic equation to have a final answer.” Magic center Dwight Howard had 24 points and 13 rebounds against Indiana for his 15th double-double of the campaign.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, SunSports (Orlando), CS Philadelphia
ABOUT THE MAGIC (12-8): Point guard Jameer Nelson sat out Sunday’s game with concussion-like symptoms and didn’t travel to Philadelphia. Nelson took separate shots to the head and jaw during Friday’s loss to the New Orleans Hornets. Orlando coach Stan Van Gundy said Nelson won’t return until he receives a clean bill of health from the team’s medical staff. “The league and all of pro sports are starting to get on the right track with (head injuries),” Van Gundy said. “You cannot mess with these things.” Chris Duhon will start until Nelson returns.
ABOUT THE 76ERS (14-6): Guard Andre Iguodala is making a run at his first All-Star Game. He is averaging only 12.8 points, but is playing solidly all around with the latest example being Saturday’s triple-double of 10 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists. “I’ve been snubbed twice, once for sure,” Iguodala said. “As long as we are continuing to win, that is what’s most important.” Iguodala has nearly as many steals (38) as turnovers (39) and the triple-double was the eighth of his eight-year career.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. Orlando is 10-1 in its last 11 visits to Philadelphia.
2. The 76ers are 0-5 in games decided by seven or fewer points.
3. The Magic committed 11 first-quarter turnovers and 19 overall in Sunday’s loss to Indiana.