It was a long and disappointing night for the Philadelphia 76ers as they fell to the Orlando Magic 98-97 on Friday to follow up an impressive win over the Milwaukee Bucks on Christmas Day. It was a disappointing effort not one for a team that has championship aspirations.
Coach Brett Brown criticized the team’s poor effort saying they did not respond to the Magic’s physicality and Josh Richardson agreed with his coach.
“I think at points, we were trying to be physical,” said Richardson. “But we were getting called for small [fouls] so I think we let that affect us, too.”
Tobias Harris said the Sixers play to the level of their opponent no matter who it is. Which explains all of their impressive wins and their disheartening losses.
I think there is a tone set that we wait too long to raise it with certain teams like tonight and you lose games like this,” said All-Star Ben Simmons. “We got to bring that same intensity, drive, communication, and energy every game no matter who we play from start to finish.”
The Magic were considered a trap game as they were in between the Bucks on Christmas and a bigger matchup with the Miami Heat on Saturday and to play the way they did on Friday, it leaves a bad taste in their mouths.
“It’s tough to come out and play like that (against the Bucks) and then turn around and play like this,” Richardson added. “You just gotta take everybody with the same amount of urgency and the same amount of seriousness.”
The Sixers will look to get that edge back on Saturday when they do face the Heat in Miami. [lawrence-related id=22299,22277,22240]