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  • The Magic are 22-18 and have the best record in the Southeast Division.
  • Philadelphia is 15-21 and has the third-best record in the Atlantic Division.
  • These teams last played on Dec. 6, with the Sixers claiming a 102-94 victory.

One of the games on tap from Sunday night’s NBA slate features the Orlando Magic hosting the Philadelphia 76ers. Will the Magic get back into the win column in our Magic vs Sixers prediction?

Magic Look To Bounce Back From Loss To Bucks

Following an impressive 103-94 victory against the New York Knicks on Jan. 6, the Magic have dropped their last two contests, including a 109-106 loss against the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday night. Paolo Banchero returned the rotation and dropped 34 points on 11-for-21 shooting from the field and connected on five of his eight attempts from beyond the arc. He also tallied seven rebounds, three assists, and two steals.

Cole Anthony finished with 18 points and seven rebounds. Tristan da Silva added 16 points and 10 boards and Anthony Black chipped in with 15 points off the bench. In what was a nip-and-tuck battle, the Bucks were nursing a one-point lead with 9.3 seconds left to play in regulation.

Damian Lillard was fouled on the inbounds pass by Black. Orlando unsuccessfully challenged the call, and Lillard knocked down two free throws for the final points of the game. The win enabled the Bucks to momentarily move into a virtual tie with Orlando for the No. 4 spot in the conference playoff race.

Sixers Not Living Up To Expectations

Thanks in part to Joel Embiid suiting up in just 13 contests, the Sixers are currently six games under .500 following their 123-115 loss against the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday night. Tyrese Maxey led Philly’s scoring attack with a 30-point effort on 50 percent shooting. He also handed out 12 assists and grabbed six rebounds.

Paul George — who is averaging just 16.5 PPG — pumped in 25 points along with 11 rebounds and five assists. Kelly Oubre Jr. chipped in with 21 points and seven boards. The teams were knotted at 67 apiece in the third quarter before Jordan Hawkins buried a 3-pointer to give New Orleans a 70-67 advantage. Dejounte Murray knocked down another long-range basket for the Pelicans, pushing their lead to 76-67, a lead they would never relinquish.

Magic vs Sixers Prediction: Magic Bounce Back Against Philly

With multiple players nursing injuries, the Magic have had their share of struggles this season and are 5-5 in their previous 10 contests. On the other hand, Banchero’s return to the lineup could be just what the team needs to stay afloat. That, and the fact Orlando is ranked first in points allowed (103.3 PPG) and has the second best defensive rating (107.2 Points Per 100 Possessions), makes them a formidable opponent on any given night.

On other side of the matchup, the Sixers are a mess. Embiid cannot stay healthy. Paul George has not been what the team hoped he would be when he was acquired in the offseason. And following a four-game winning streak, Philadelphia has dropped four of its previous six games. Given these trends, look for the Magic to get the “W” here, giving them their third win against the Sixers this season.

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