PHILADELPHIA (`) — Paolo Banchero had 29 points and 10 rebounds as the Orlando Magic stormed back from a 21-point deficit in the first quarter to beat the Philadelphia 76ers 119-109 Monday night.
Mo Wagner scored 22 points and his younger brother Franz Wagner 19 for the Magic, which stopped a three-game slip and ended the Sixers’ seven-game winning streak.
Joel Embiid had 30 points and 11 rebounds for Philadelphia, his 27th game this season with 30 or more points and his ninth of the last 10.
The Magic methodically worked their way back from the early hole, cutting the Sixers’ lead to 10 points at halftime. Orlando took the lead for the first time in the third quarter with a 3-pointer from Gary Harris.
The Magic finally took a 7-03 lead when Mo Wagner reversed a layup, got fouled and converted the free throw. Wagner converted another three-point play 19 seconds later when he was fouled by Embiid on a drive lay-up.
Sixers coach Doc Rivers unsuccessfully challenged Embiid, insisting his big man had established a defensive position.
Cole Anthony followed with a 3-pointer to complete a 9-0 run against Orlando and the Sixers came no closer than six points the rest of the way.
Tobias Harris and James Harden each scored 17 points for the Sixers.
TIP INS
Magic: Nearly four years after the Sixers traded him to Orlando, Markelle Fultz played his first game in Philadelphia as a visitor. The former No. 1 draft pick has been injured every time the Magic has played in Philly since trading, despite playing a road game against the Sixers in Florida during the pandemic bubble in 2020. Fultz finished with 12 points and 10 assists.
76ers: Philadelphia has been the hottest team in the NBA for almost two months, but has benefited from playing the league’s third-easiest schedule for Monday night’s game. The Sixers have the second-toughest remaining schedule and will play 17 games in March, including 11 away.
The story goes on
NEXT
The teams play again in Philadelphia on Wednesday night.
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