Sixers Lose To Magic 101-90, Drop 12th Straight
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Jameer Nelson scored 12 of his 16 points in the fourth quarter and Nik Vucevic had 21 points and 13 rebounds to help the Orlando Magic snap a 16-game road losing streak with a 101-90 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday night.
Nelson added 12 assists for the Magic, who last won on the road at Chicago on Dec. 16. Victor Oladipo added 17 points, and Maurice Harkless and Tobias Harris scored 13 apiece.
Thaddeus Young had 19 points for the Sixers, who lost their 12th straight overall and 11th in a row at home. Tony Wroten scored 15 points, Eric Maynor 13 and Henry Sims 10 for Philadelphia, which bought out the contract of Danny Granger earlier Wednesday.
The 76ers finished 0-11 in February.
Philadelphia did manage to keep the margin closer against Orlando. The Sixers entered having given up an average of 117.4 points during the losing skid, and they had been beaten by an average of 20.3 points before Wednesday.
The teams began the fourth quarter tied at 67, but the Magic used an 18-8 run over the first 3:52 of the final quarter to take their largest lead to that point, 85-75, with 8:08 remaining. Nelson scored 10 of Orlando's points during the spurt, including a pair of 3-pointers. Orlando's lead grew to as many as 13 points and the Sixers never recovered.
Two 3-pointers from Hollis Thompson to start the second half helped Philadelphia take its largest lead to that point, 50-42, 50 seconds into the third quarter. But Orlando ran off 11 straight over the next 4:18 to go in front 53-50 with 6:52 left in the period. The Magic's lead grew to as many as seven points, 65-58, with 3:05 left in the quarter on Harris' free throws before Philadelphia closed the period by scoring nine of the final 11 points to enter the final quarter tied at 67.
Philadelphia completed a buyout of the contract of Granger on Wednesday night, enabling the veteran forward to sign with any team if he clears waivers by 5 p.m. on Friday. Granger was acquired from the Indiana Pacers last Thursday for Evan Turner and Lavoy Allen but never played a minute for Philadelphia. The 76ers also received a 2015 second-round draft pick in the deal.
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