NBA Playoffs Eastern Conference Schedule: Orlando Magic Feeling Pressure to Even Series with Philadelphia 76ers

After last Sunday’s devastating loss the Orlando Magic are facing serious pressure to even their series with the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday. It’s hard to imagine the Magic don’t have Game 1 in the back of their mind as they found a way to blow an 18-point lead and surrendered home-court advantage after Andre Iguodala buried a jumper with 2 seconds left in the game for a 100-98 win.

Dwight Howard was dominant for the Magic in Game 1 as he scored 31 points and grabbed 16 rebounds but it appeared as if Orlando shied away from him at the close of the game and that decision may have cost them. Perhaps more perplexing than the decision to stay away from Howard late in the game was the disappearance of Orlando’s defense in the final frame. Orlando had held Philadelphia to 19 points in the second quarter and 19 points in the third then surrendered 35 in the fourth.

Orlando will have to continue going to Howard in Game 2 as the recently named NBA Defensive Player of the Year has shown he can’t be stopped on either end of the court. Howard will need some perimeter help from Rafer Alston who was all but a no-show in Game 1. The Magic will also need bigger contributions from Hedo Turkoglu and Rashard Lewis while finding a way to slow down the athletic Sixers who proved they weren’t intimidated by an Orlando squad that posted a 32-9 mark at home during the regular season.

Tip-off is set for 7:00 p.m. ET.

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