Sizzling Sixers Take Away Orlando’s Magic With 96-94 Win

Posted by Jeff Sack under NBA Game Recap, NBA PLAYOFFS

For the second consecutive year the Philadelphia 76ers have gone into the Post Season as the lower seed and given their opponent all they can handle. Last year Philadelphia went into the Playoffs as the number 7 seed and gave the number 2 seed the Detroit Pistons some very scary moments before eventually succumbing. This year the Sixers are back up to their old tricks as they won their second game Friday night by the score of 96-94 against the higher seeded Orlando Magic. Philadelphia who entered the series as the sixth seed now lead the series 2-1.

The Sixers shot an electric 52.1% (37-71) from the floor for the night. They were led by the twin Andres; Iguodala put 29 points on the board while Miller added 24. They would get the victory despite a monster performance from Orlando center Dwight Howard who recorded a double-double with a game high 36 points.

Philadelphia built themselves a big enough cushion in the first half to make up for their offensive drought in the second half. Most of the first quarter saw both teams neck and neck however the Sixers pulled away and had a 28-21 advantage at the end of the period. The crowd at the Wachovia Center would have a lot to cheer about in the second as the 76ers kept the Magic at a distance and walked into the locker room at the half on top 60-49.

Orlando came alive in the third quarter at the same time that Philadelphia was finding it more difficult to score. That resulted in the Sixers lead down to just a fraction of what it had been as the period drew to a close and the score was 80-77.

Neither team was proficient offensively in the final 12 minutes of play. After trailing by just 2 points for most of the fourth Dwight Howard would knock down two at the line with 6 seconds left and tying the score at 94-94. Philadelphia would score the winning bucket with 2 seconds on the clock as Thaddeus Young drove the lane and put the ball up and in.

Andre Iguodala put up 29 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals while veteran Andre Miller had 24 points, 9 rebounds and 7 assists. Willie Green would add 12 points, 1 assist and 1 block in the victory.

Dwight Howard led all players with 36 points, 11 boards and 3 blocks while Rafer Alston scored 17 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals. Rashard Lewis had 14 points, 7 rebounds, 3 steals, 2 assists and 1 block while Hedo Turkoglu added 11 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists and 1 block. Philadelphia leading the series now 2-1 will host Orlando again Sunday.

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