Magic at 76ers
Two of the NBA's top rookies face off in Philadelphia on Tuesday night when Victor Oladipo and the Orlando Magic do battle with Michael Carter-Williams and the 76ers. Orlando has struggled on the road this season, falling to 1-6 Monday night with a 98-80 defeat at the hands of the Washington Wizards. That run may come to an end Tuesday, however, as the Magic face off against a 76ers team that has dropped four in a row and is laboring since opening the year strong.
Oladipo earned a spot in the Magic starting five and, while he is struggling at times with the pace of the NBA, he is asserting himself well so far. The second overall pick struggled against Washington, shooting just 4-of-12 to finish with 13 points and six rebounds in the loss. Carter-Williams, taken 11th overall by the 76ers, has been a revelation so far - leading all rookies in scoring average (17), assists (7.1) and steals (3.1) while starting all 14 games played.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, FSN Florida (Orlando), CSN Philadelphia
ABOUT THE MAGIC (6-11): Monday was a special game for Oladipo, a Maryland native who made his first professional appearance in his home state. His mother and three sisters were in attendance for the landmark occasion, along with other family and friends. "They always held me accountable," Oladipo said of his immediate family. "They were always telling me if I played good or I played bad. They just keep it real with me. It's always good to have those people around, who can keep it real with you but at the same time make you feel good about yourself."
ABOUT THE 76ERS (6-12): Carter-Williams has performed to rave reviews - some of the most positive of which have come from 76ers head coach Brett Brown. "I said so sort of at the get-go, incrementally: he's better than I thought," Brown told the Philadelphia Inquirer. "He's better than I thought I thought." He wasted no time making an impact, registering 22 points, 12 assists, nine steals and seven rebounds in his first career game. He finished with 23 points in the 76ers' first meeting with the Magic this season, a 105-94 Orlando win on Nov. 27.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Orlando has won the last three head-to-head meetings and eight of the previous 10.
2. Oladipo had 18 points in the Nov. 27 victory, adding five steals but also turning the ball over eight times.
3. The 76ers average 103 points, second only to the Miami Heat (104.5) in the Eastern Conference.