ORLANDO — In their return to the Kia Center, the Orlando Magic fell to the Philadelphia 76ers, 103-91, squandering the opportunity to win consecutive games for the first time in over a month. 

For the Magic, a nagging, common theme contributed to the loss: Offensive rebounding and turnovers. 

“That was huge right there; 21 offensive rebounds,” Magic coach Jamahl Mosley said. “I think, you know, you get to the initial stop; you got to come up with the board so you can finish the possession so you can get out and run and get some easy baskets. The way they defended made it tough on us to get shots in the half court.”  “And then [to] turn it over 19 times for 20 points, that's a hard recipe to come away with a win, but you got to give them credit, [they] made shots tough on us, both at the rim and the threes.” 

The Magic also struggled from the perimeter. 

“Again, we shot 14 percent from the three-point line with some good looks [that] just didn't fall.” 

Orlando successfuly led for most of the first half, but the 76ers remained within striking distance. The third quarter remained a back-and-forth battle, but the 76ers outscored the Magic, 20-12, in the fourth quarter to seal their victory as Tyrese Maxey finished with 29 points and Joel Embiid added 22. 

“I would have liked to see the ball go in the basket,” Mosley said regarding his team’s stagnant offense in the final period. “That would be nice.” 

The Magic made just four of their 19 shot attempts in the fourth quarter. Mosley also took exception to the way the game was being called as the officiating crew was left short-handed following an apparent leg injury to referee Bill Kennedy thatsubsequently caused him to leave the game in a wheelchair during the first quarter. 

Specially, Mosley shared frustration with Paolo Banchero as he felt Banchero was not getting the same calls Embiid was receiving. The 76ers attempted 24 free throws to the Magic’s 18. 

“It's frustrating,” Mosley said. “I would be, too. I absolutely would be frustrated, too. I'm not going into the whole call, no call. We lost a good official tonight in Billy Kennedy. After that, it went down to two officials.” 

“So, you know, I see their side of it a little bit, too. But there's a frustration that Joel goes in there and just falls and gets the call. And Paolo goes in there, not the same call. Not saying it's equal in some ways, but at the end of the day, if we'reattacking the basket that much, there's got to be some contact happening a little bit there.” 

After finishing with 21 points on 58 percent shooting, Magic guard Anthony Black spoke about the frustration regarding the team’s recent inability to string together consecutive wins. 

“I mean, it's tough. Obviously, you know, we haven't won back-to-back games since... whenever. So, it's frustrating for everybody, coaches, players, but we just got to do a good job of figuring out a way to string together wins.” 

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