Sixers vs. Magic: Game Preview

Two down, 80 to go! With only two regular season games under their belt, the Sixers are still polishing off the rust that comes from any offseason. They will continue to figure out how to best utilize their assets as they face the Orlando Magic on Saturday evening.

The Sixers (1-1) enter the game coming off a dominant win over the Chicago Bulls on Thursday night. Philadelphia had eight players score in double digits, with Joel Embiid leading the team with 30 points on 9-of-14 shooting. The Sixers also connected on 27 of 30 free throws in their victory.

For the Magic, the team is coming off a Friday night loss to the Charlotte Hornets. They were out-rebounded and simply outplayed. They will likely start former Sixer Nik Vucevic at center, but fans will have another look at the frenemy matchup of Embiid and rookie Mo Bamba throughout the game.

Embiid and Bamba have gone at each other both on the court and on social media. While Bamba genuinely looks up to Embiid, having even implemented some of his moves into his game, the two keep things exciting in the middle.

The Sixers and the Magic met just over two weeks ago in a preseason matchup where Philadelphia won 120-114. Markelle Fultz displayed the first three-pointer of his NBA career and re-found confidence on the floor, and Joel Embiid, despite causing three turnovers and making just 1 of 6 three-pointers, was effective from the paint for 21 points in just 23 minutes. Fultz should have ample opportunities to flex on offense again against the Magic.

Injury Report:

Sixers: Mike Muscala (ankle), Wilson Chandler (hamstring), Jerryd Bayless (knee), Zhaire Smith (foot)

Magic: Jonathon Simmons (personal), Timofey Mozgov (knee)

Game Info:

When: 7:30p.m. EST

Where: Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, PA

TV: NBC Sports Philadelphia, Fox Sports Florida

Twitter: @Liberty_Ballers