Magic vs. 76ers score, highlights for NBA Play-In Tournament game

The Philadelphia 76ers will be moving on.

With their 109-97 takedown Wednesday, April 15 over the Orlando Magic in the Play-In Tournament, the Sixers have secured the No. 7 seed in the NBA Playoffs and a date with the No. 2 Boston Celtics.

In the final minute, as the home crowd felt the victory coming on, they chanted “We want Boston” over and over.

With center Joel Embiid sidelined as he recovers from an appendectomy, the 76ers got a massive game from All-Star point guard Tyrese Maxey, who scored 31 points on 11-of-25 shooting, adding 6 assists.

Philadelphia had five players in double figures, while the offense was an issue for the Magic.

Desmond Bane had a monster game, dropping 34 points on 10-of-16 shooting. Paolo Banchero added 18, but Orlando shot just 25.9% from 3-point range.

Now, the Magic will host the Charlotte Hornets Friday, April 17 to determine the No. 8 seed in the East.

Magic vs. 76ers highlights

Magic vs. 76ers: both teams trading blows in final minutes

Every time it looks like one team is going to pull away — Tyrese Maxey went on a personal 7-0 run midway through the fourth to build an eight-point lead — the other squad comes right back. The Magic are hanging in behind Desmond Bane's 34 points.

The 76ers lead 97-93 with 4:30 left to play.

End Q3: 76ers 79, Magic 74

It had started to look like Philadelphia was going to be pulling away in the third, but the Magic came roaring back.

At one point in the quarter, the Magic were shooting less than 25% from the field in the period and the Sixers had opened an 11-point margin. That came right when VJ Edgecombe was called for a technical foul. Since that point, the Magic went on an 11-6 extended run to close the gap.

The Magic have been staying in this game thanks to its proficiency on the free throw line. Orlando is 22-of-28 from the line, including Desmond Bane's contributions (10-of-11), compared to Philadelphia's output (16-of-19).

Bane has been the player keeping Orlando afloat. He has 28 points on 8-of-11 shooting. Paolo Banchero has 15 points, and the next closest player is Anthony Black, with 8 points. The Sixers have four players in double-figures, led by Tyrese Maxey's 20 points.

Magic vs. 76ers: tensions flare up, once more

For the second time tonight, tensions flared between both teams. As the 76ers had launched a run, rookie guard VJ Edgecombe finger rolled a layup in transition. As he landed, he ran into Magic guard Jalen Suggs, pushing him back to the stanchion at the bottom of the hoop. Suggs eventually tried to fling Edgecombe aside, causing other players to become involved. Kelly Oubre, who was called for a technical earlier in the game, was gesturing at Magic guard Desmond Bane.

Suggs would eventually connect on his technical free throw. The Magic have missed 10 consecutive shots and are now facing a 73-63 deficit, with 4:03 left to play in the third.

Magic vs. 76ers player stats

At halftime, here are some key player stats:

Orlando Magic

Paolo Banchero: 5-of-12 shooting; 13 points; 3 rebounds; 3 assists

Desmond Bane: 5-of-8 shooting; 19 points; 8-of-9 free throws; 3 assists

Franz Wagner: 1-of-3 shooting; 2 points; 2 assists; 1 rebound

Philadelphia 76ers

Tyrese Maxey: 5-of-12 shooting; 2-of-5 3-point shooting; 16 points; 5 assists

Paul George: 4-of-8 shooting; 11 points; 4 assists

Kelly Oubre: 4-of-9 shooting; 11 points; 3-of-7 3-point shooting

End Q2: 76ers 59, Magic 55

So far, this one has been tight. The 76ers and Magic have traded blows, as no team opened a lead greater than 6 points in the first half. There were also nine ties and 10 lead changes before intermission, and the 76ers closed the half on a 9-2 run.

Orlando's plan, especially with Joel Embiid (appendectomy) out, is to drive and hammer the ball down low; the Magic are leading in points in the paint by a margin of 26-20. Some of that has come in transition, where Orlando has looked to get out on the break before Philadelphia can set its defense.

The strategy also compromised Philly, forcing them to commit fouls. The Magic shot 14 free throws in the period.

For the 76ers, their advantage has come from deep. The Sixers have made 7 3-pointers, compared to just 3 for Orlando.

Magic guard Desmond Bane leads all players with 19 points, while Tyrese Maxey is pacing Philadelphia with 16.

Magic vs. 76ers: Philadelphia All-Star Tyrese Maxey with the deep range

End Q1: 76ers 28, Magic 24

As it was with Tuesday's Play-In games, the Magic and 76ers brought physical, intense play in the first quarter.

And with Joel Embiid (appendectomy) unavailable, the 76ers looked to their other All-Star, Tyrese Maxey, to get things going early. Maxey was aggressive in seeking his shot and tied with Sixers forward Kelly Oubre, who drained three triples, for most points (9) among all players. Not all Philadelphia players, however, were as successful; Paul George missed each of his 3 attempts and did not score, and the Sixers not named Maxey or Oubre went 4-of-11 (36.3%) from the floor.

For the Magic, credit Paolo Banchero for playing disciplined after getting called for two early fouls. Magic coach Jamahl Mosley opted to keep Banchero in the game despite the foul trouble, and Banchero responded by scoring 8 points in the period to lead Orlando.

Magic guard Desmond Bane added 7 points.

Magic vs. 76ers gets underway with Kelly Oubre confrontation with Paolo Banchero

The battle to determine the No. 7 seed has tipped off, and there have already been some fireworks. During a deadball situation with 8:30 to play in the first quarter, Sixers forward Kelly Oubre lowered his shoulder into a screen on Magic forward Franz Wagner. Oubre was called for the offensive foul, and Magic forward Paolo Banchero shoved Oubre, who then started to gesture toward Banchero and yell. Both players were called for offsetting technical fouls.

Banchero was later called for his second foul in the period, which bears watching, should he continue to fall into foul trouble.

The Magic lead 14-12 with 6:40 left in the period.

Magic vs. 76ers injury update

The Magic downgraded forward Jonathan Isaac (left knee sprain) from questionable to out. Isaac, who hasn't played a game since March 12, had been trying to return from the injury. This likely means Tristan da Silva will continue to have a significant role off the bench.

Magic vs. 76ers starting lineups

Orlando Magic

• Jalen Suggs
• Desmond Bane
• Franz Wagner
• Paolo Banchero
• Wendell Carter Jr.

Philadelphia 76ers

• Tyrese Maxey
• VJ Edgecombe
• Kelly Oubre
• Paul George
• Adem Bona

Magic vs. 76ers injury report

The latest injury report is out, and, aside from the significant absence of Joel Embiid, both teams are near full strength.

Orlando Magic

Wendell Carter Jr. (nasal fracture): available

Jett Howard (left ankle sprain): available

Jonathan Isaac (left knee sprain): questionable

Philadelphia 76ers

Johni Broome (right knee surgery): out

Joel Embiid (appendectomy): out

Tyrese Maxey (right finger tendon strain): available

Trendon Watford (illness): probable

Magic vs. 76ers predictions, picks

USA Today: 3 of 5 choose 76ers

Despite the absence of Joel Embiid, three of our five experts decided to pick the 76ers to win this game against Orlando. The Sixers did go 2-1 against the Magic this year, including a win without Embiid in their lineup.

Jason Logan, Covers: Banchero will have a good night

Logan writes, "Banchero’s two meetings with Philadelphia tell the story. With Embiid in, he finished with 14 points on 6-of-18 shooting and scored only two free throws made. Without him, Banchero hung 32 points (10 for 18) with 11 of those coming from the stripe."

Despite the expected big night for Banchero, Logan also seems to believe that the 76ers will win. He points out that since the NBA introduced the play-in tournament in 2021, favorites of three points or less are 8-3 straight up. That's a pretty good ratio despite the small spread.

Zachary Cohen, VSiN: Magic will win

Cohen writes, "Under Mosley, the Magic happen to be 77-50 straight-up when facing teams that allow at least 116.0 points per game. Meanwhile, the 76ers are 3-7 straight-up when taking on teams that draw at least 27.0 free throws per game under Nick Nurse. That could be even more problematic here, as Philadelphia might have to foul a bit more with no Embiid out there to make up for defensive mistakes."

Magic vs. 76ers odds, lines

All odds via BetMGM as of 7 p.m. ET on Tuesday, April 14

• Spread: Philadelphia 76ers (-1.5)
• Moneyline: Philadelphia 76ers (-125); Orlando Magic (+105)
• Over/Under: 222.5

How to watch Magic vs. 76ers

• Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
• Where: Xfinity Mobile Arena (Philadelphia)
• TV: N/A
• Stream: Amazon Prime Video