Magic stop off in City of Brotherly Love

(Basketball News) - The Orlando Magic try to move closer to earning a berth in the postseason, as they visit the streaking Philadelphia 76ers this afternoon at the Wachovia Center.

Orlando is No. 8 in the Eastern Conference playoff race, while the Sixers are three games behind the Magic with four games left on both teams schedules.

The Magic try to get back on the winning track today. On Wednesday, Chauncey Billups posted 28 points and eight assists as the Detroit Pistons picked up a 104-99 win over Orlando at The Palace of Auburn Hills.

Grant Hill finished with 22 points for the Magic, who had a two-game winning streak halted. Jameer Nelson and Keyon Dooling both scored 17 points, while Dwight Howard ended with 12 points and 16 rebounds in defeat.

Orlando is just 13-26 on the road this season. The Magic return home to host the Boston Celtics on Sunday. They are scheduled to visit the Washington Wizards on Tuesday at the Verizon Center, and will wrap up their regular- season scheduled on Wednesday against the Miami Heat at Amway Arena.

Philadelphia tries to win its fourth game in a row. Steven Hunter matched a career-high with 20 points and Andre Miller added 19 points as the Sixers rallied for a 102-94 win over the Boston Celtics at TD Banknorth Garden.

Louis Williams tied a career-high with 18 points, while Joe Smith netted 16 for Philadelphia, which has won three in a row and four of its last five games overall. Willie Green registered 12 points and Samuel Dalembert netted 11 for the Sixers, who outscored Boston 55-36 in the second half.

The Sixers are 21-18 at home this season. They will visit the Pistons on Sunday at The Palace. Philadelphia is scheduled to host the Cavaliers on Tuesday and will conclude its season on Wednesday versus the Toronto Raptors at Air Canada Centre.

On the injury front for Philadelphia, Andre Iguodala (strained lower back) is questionable, while Kyle Korver (partially torn tendon in right wrist) is expected to miss tonight’s contest. Iguodala is the Sixers leading scorer (18.3 ppg).

The Magic and 76ers split a pair of games in Orlando this season.

Orlando has won two straight after losing its last two at Philadelphia. The Magic have won three of the last four contests in the series.

PHI ORL

Post your comment:

No profanity or inaproppriate remarks. All i.p. addresses will be saved and abuse/hate posts will be reported to providers and authorities as part of the anti-spam act of 2003, thank you for posting comments on the articles only.