Orlando Magic Prepare to Face Undermanned Philadelphia 76ers in Preseason Finale

The Orlando Magic are set to face the Philadelphia 76ers in their preseason finale at the Kia Center, eagerly anticipating a chance to showcase their skills before the regular season begins. The match comes after a disruption in their schedule, as their first preseason game against the New Orleans Pelicans was canceled due to Hurricane Milton.

Amid an intense week of training, the Magic focused on internal scrimmages to compensate for the lost games. “The practice vibes have been intense and heavy,” said a team insider, indicating the players’ eagerness to gain competitive experience against an external opponent. With the NBA regular season opener against Miami on October 23 rapidly approaching, the team is eager to test their mettle.

The 76ers head into the game short-handed, with several key players absent. Philadelphia’s star player, Joel Embiid, has been sidelined for the rest of the preseason to address left knee issues. Additionally, Paul George is out due to a bone bruise suffered earlier in the week, and rookie Jared McCain is recovering from a fall during a recent game.

Despite these absences, Tyrese Maxey remains a focal point for the 76ers, although the team has completed five preseason games and might lack motivation for this upcoming matchup. Meanwhile, the Magic are prepared to capitalize on a potentially undermanned opponent.

Orlando’s preseason has highlighted some areas in need of improvement, particularly their turnover rate and shooting accuracy. Head coach Jamahl Mosley has emphasized the significance of reducing turnovers, pointing out that the Magic allowed 26 points off 23 turnovers against the Pelicans and 30 points from 20 turnovers against the San Antonio Spurs. “The team knows they have to do better with turnovers,” Coach Mosley stated.

Shooting remains another priority, as the Magic aim to boost their offensive efficiency. Last season, they performed better on their home court at the Kia Center, averaging a 35.4 percent success rate from three-point range, compared to 34.9 percent on the road. Players like Jalen Suggs and Franz Wagner have struggled with their shots in the early preseason games, but the team remains optimistic about improvements.

With the preseason drawing to a close, Orlando is focused on ironing out these inconsistencies to ensure a strong start to the season. “The goal for this team should be to continue improving and looking better,” stated a team analyst, noting that the Magic should utilize this game to exhibit growth, regardless of the opponent.