The Sixers host the Orlando Magic on Wednesday night in a high-stakes play-in game, needing one win to secure the No. 7 seed in the Eastern Conference.
After closing out the regular season with two straight wins over the Pacers and Bucks, the Sixers earned home-court advantage in this matchup. The Magic did their part to help after their five-game winning streak was undone by a collapse against the Celtics' bench squad.
Who: Orlando Magic (45-37) at Philadelphia 76ers (45-37)
When: 7:30 p.m. ET
Where: XFinity Mobile Arena, Philadelphia, Pa.
Watch: Prime Video
Through all the adversity they've faced this season, the Sixers need just one win to cement a playoff spot, specifically the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference and a first-round date with the Boston Celtics. Without Joel Embiid, the Sixers normally wouldn't stand a chance, but this season has brought some nice surprises to the fold, and they may be ready to move forward as they await Embiid's return.
Tyrese Maxey has taken a huge step this season, both on and off the court. He's improved to one of the top guards in the league while also assuming the leadership role on the team.
As the team has leaned on Maxey and rookie VJ Edgecombe throughout the season, the return of Paul George and Kelly Oubre Jr. has given them a boost on both ends of the court. George and Oubre Jr. provide true NBA talent and veteran leadership that can help younger players like Dominick Barlow, Justin Edwards, Jabari Walker, and Adem Bona. All of whom will be needed to step up against the Magic and going forward.
The Magic invested heavily in Desmond Bane during the off-season, hoping to see some meaningful change. While Bane has played very well, the team struggled to overcome the partial absence of Franz Wagner during the season and a lack of team cohesion.
With Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner operating as the star duo on the team, adding Bane should be huge. But Wagner missed a large portion of the season and has only recently returned. Banchero, despite his talent, hasn't been able to take his game to the next level to this point.
The team has a lot of firepower on both ends, but they've not been able to put it all together with any consistency.
The duo of Andre Drummond and Adem Bona will have their hands full with the interior pounding that a team like the Magic can put on opposing teams.
Bona has been given the start over the last few games, but it's Drummond who's played the bulk of the minutes. Drummond's rebounding and recent defensive effort have given the Sixers a noticeable boost they sorely needed.
Ahead of the release of the starting lineup, Nick Nurse will have a decision to make about whether to move Drummond into the starting lineup or keep him as the impactful changeup off the bench that he's been.
If the Sixers control the glass and get enough from their supporting cast, they’re in position to lock up the No. 7 seed.
MORE: 3 X-factors to watch as the Sixers host the Magic in the play-in
