It was a game that the Sixers didn't need to win, but would have loved to take from the Magic. After taking Game 1 in Orlando, the Sixers had already secured home court advantage in their first round series, but a win in Game 2 would have put all the pressure on the Magic. Instead, Orlando was able to out hustle the Sixers tonight, and even after losing Dwight Howard with 3:11 to play, the Magic held on for a 96-87 win that evened the series.
After coming back from an 18 point deficit to win Game 1, the Sixers came out on fire, with Andre Miller scoring 13 of the first 17 points for Philadelphia and giving the Sixers an early seven point lead. From there, the Magic turned to Dwight Howard, and while the Orlando big man only had 11 points and 10 rebounds for the game, his presence inside was enough to get both Samuel Dalembert and Theo Ratliff into foul trouble early. With both of them sitting on the bench with two fouls, the Magic were able to outplay the Sixers on the offensive glass, as several second chances for Orlando resulted in points. A tie game at the end of the first quarter turned into a seven point Magic lead at the half, then ballooned to as many as 18 points in the third quarter. The Sixers would get as close as five in the second half, but Orlando continued to get second chances at baskets, and made Philadelphia pay.
The Magic were also able to keep Andre Iguodala from getting anywhere near the basket in the first half. Iguodala finished with 21 points, but only one of those came in the first half, when Andre Miller and Thaddeous Young were carrying the load for the Sixers. Meanwhile, Orlando went with a shorter bench in Game 2, and it paid off. Anthony Johnson dropped 11 points off the bench, and the Magic were also able to hold Philadelphia's bench in check after a great showing in Game 1.
While this loss hurts, the Sixers still have some momentum in this series. They're taking it back to Philadelphia tied at one game a piece, which is more than most people would have expected, especially considering how they finished the season. They've managed to contain Dwight Howard and the three point shooters for the Magic, as the Sixers held Orlando to 6-23 shooting from behind the arc tonight. Somehow, they have to do a better job at containing Courtney Lee, who has just batted Philadelphia in the two games so far. In order to keep home court, the Sixers will need to find an answer for Lee, as well as keep their big men out of foul trouble to continue to contain Dwight Howard. It's not going to be easy to stop Orlando's franchise player for an entire series, but it's going to have to be done if the Sixers want to advance.
Game 3 is Friday night at the Wachovia Center. Show up, and make your voices heard...the Sixers need your support.
Player of the Game: Andre Miller. Still going with a Sixer, even in a losing effort. Miller had 17 of the first 25 points for Philadelphia, and finished the game with 30 points, as well as seven rebounds and three assists.
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