Philadelphia @ Orlando preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 13, 2019 ) Philadelphia 97, Orlando 112

The Orlando Magic haven't beaten a team with a current winning record since a 112-97 home win over the Philadelphia 76ers on Nov. 13. The Magic will try to end that drought against the same team when they host the 76ers on Friday.

That Nov. 13 triumph marks Orlando's lone victory this season against a current winning team but they will get chances to earn another on back-to-back nights with a visit to NBA-leading Milwaukee looming on Saturday. The Magic won for the second time in eight games when they earned a 103-95 win over Chicago on Monday, about which center Nikola Vucevic told reporters, "I thought we played like our backs were against the wall and we really needed this win." Philadelphia made a Christmas Day statement by dominating most of the contest against the Bucks and coming away with a 121-109 victory. "It's the most energy we've had," 76ers point guard Ben Simmons told reporters. "It's Christmas. It's always going to be there. I think this just sets the tone for us, and we know what level we can compete at. We can compete with the best. We just have to set that tone every game, no matter who we’re playing."

TV: 7 p.m. ET, NBATV, NBCS Philadelphia, FS Florida (Orlando)

ABOUT THE 76ERS (23-10): Philadelphia tied a franchise record with 21 made 3-pointers on Wednesday as Tobias Harris (5-of-7), Franz Korkmaz (4-of-5) and Joel Embiid (3-of-6) got hot from beyond the arc. "Coach (Brett Brown) just told us before the game he wants us to continue to shoot the ball with confidence," center Al Horford, who went 3-of-7 from 3-point range, told reporters. "We have a lot of capable shooters. We have a lot to prove in that department. Tonight was one of those nights that they started to fall." Setting up those 3-point shooters was Simmons, who finished with 14 assists in his third straight double-double.

ABOUT THE MAGIC (13-17): Orlando is trying to win games on the defensive end and forward Jonathan Isaac made his presence felt with four steals and three blocks to go with 13 points, nine rebounds and five assists against the Bulls. "When guys come in there and it looks like they've got something easy and they don't get it done (because of Orlando's shot-blockers), it changes the momentum," Isaac told reporters. "...I think plays like that are demoralizing - when you think you've got something easy and guys come out of nowhere for the block. That speaks to our effort tonight." Isaac (2.57) is third in the league in blocked shots and the Magic are fifth in the league in scoring defense, limiting opponents to an average of 104.9 points.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Magic PG Michael Carter-Williams (shoulder) sat out Monday and is not expected to play on Friday.

2. 76ers SG Matisse Thybulle (knee) sat out the last two games and is expected to miss at least another week.

3. The home team took the last five meetings in the series, with Philadelphia's last victory in Orlando coming on March 22, 2018.

PREDICTION: 76ers 109, Magic 101