The Orlando Magic were undefeated at home heading into their second Emirates NBA Cup game of 2024 hosting the Philadelphia 76ers. On the back of point guard Jalen Suggs dropping 11 of his 19 points in the fourth quarter, the Magic secured a fifth straight win to maintain perfection in the Kia Center, 98-86.

As he has for the past six games where he’s amassed a streak of 20+ point performances, Franz Wagner led the Magic as the primary offensive threat with franchise forward Paolo Banchero out due to an oblique injury. Wagner had 10 points in the first quarter to help the Magic jump out to a 24-21 lead. The Sixers star center Joel Embid also had 10 in the first 15 minutes. Wagner and Embid each finished with 31 and 20 respectively.

Philly was able to head to the locker room with the lead at the half 45-43 on the back of 18 fastbreak points and 26 points in the paint. Embid and Jared McCain combined for 15 points for the Sixers to jump ahead. McCain finished with 29 points including 15 in the third quarter.

Halfway through the 3rd quarter, it looked like the roof was caving in on the Magic when Philly had their biggest lead of the night at 10 points, but the Magic ended up scoring 30 in that 15 minutes including a nine-point run at the end 12 of which came from Franz. The Magic had the lead heading into the final quarter, 73-72.

From there, the Sixers never had the lead again. Four points is the closest they would get as Suggs shined to close out the contest.

After beating the Charlotte Hornets in the first NBA Cup game, the Magic are 2-0 battling with the New York Knicks who are 2-0 in Cup play after beating the Brooklyn Nets 124-122 within East Group A.  

Monday marks the beginning of a three-game road trip that starts in Phoenix before heading to Los Angeles to battle the Clippers and  Lakers.