NBA Matchups: April 15

ORL @ PHI | GSW @ LAC

Orlando Magic at Philadelphia 76ers

Team Totals: Magic 110.5, 76ers 113

Injury Report: Jett Howard (Q, ankle), Jonathan Isaac (Q, knee), Joel Embiid (O, appendectomy)

Magic projected starters: Jalen Suggs, Desmond Bane, Franz Wagner, Paolo Banchero, Wendell Carter Jr.

76ers projected starters: Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe, Paul George, Kelly Oubre Jr., Adem Bona

Offensive Ranks: Magic 18th (17th halfcourt), 76ers 17th (23rd halfcourt)

Defensive Ranks: Magic 14th (19th halfcourt), 76ers 17th (10th halfcourt)

Season Series: 2-1 76ers

Noteworthy Missed Games: Franz Wagner (1 missed), Jalen Suggs (1), Paolo Banchero (1), Paul George (2), VJ Edgecombe (1), Joel Embiid (2), Kelly Oubre Jr. (1)

Mosley quotes: Said they have to give the Celtics credit but the Magic turned it over way too many times, said they were trying to manage Bane and wanted to take a big-picture approach with his minutes. 

Nurse quotes: Said the rebounding is always a big reason why he plays Andre Drummond more, said Drummond was doing better at staying higher in coverage on defense, said the Magic are a physical team and they’re healthy now. 

Team stats and notes:

*The Magic are coming off one of the most embarrassing losses for a Game 82 ever. Their defense has been on track lately with Suggs and Franz back in action. They have been rebounding better, and their halfcourt defense has been solid lately. The Magic are still getting crushed in transition, and their paint defense hasn’t been great, either. As usual, they’re not giving up a lot of 3-pointers, as they do not help off. The 76ers are not doing well on offense lately due to poor interior scoring, and Maxey going cold at times hasn’t helped. They are getting a good amount of volume at the basket, which should bode well in this matchup. The 76ers’ defense is giving up a boatload of C&S right now to lead the NBA since the break. They have also been getting killed in transition, and their paint defense hasn’t been great all year. It sets up pretty well for the Orlando offense.

Player stats and notes:

*Paolo Banchero gets a favorable matchup, as he will see a good bit of Kelly Oubre Jr. The 76ers are getting beaten up inside, and Paolo should be playing a ton of minutes. The only thing that’s working against him is that the 76ers are helping way too much, and ideally, he’d be a better 3-point shooter.

*Franz Wagner should have a chance to get to 30 minutes in this spot as they continue to ramp up his minutes. He hasn’t been all that aggressive with just 7.8 drives per game, and he’s had some soft matchups. His usage has been excellent at 28.9%, and the matchup is a pretty good one with possibly Paul George on him. Plus, he should kill the 76ers at the basket. Franz has been great in this spot at 21.5 PPG over 31.4 MPG. He’s a very interesting play with a ton of upside.