Tobias Harris’ Buzzer Beater Gives the Magic Their First Win of the Early Season.

By Zack Oliver of OrlandoPinstripedPost.com

Playing in the backend of their first back-to-back of the season, the Orlando Magic traveled to Philadelphia to play the 76ers. After a hard fought loss at the hands of the Chicago Bulls on Tuesday night, the Magic fought with the Sixers all game, before Tobias Harris hit a buzzer beater to give the Magic a 91-89 win, their first of the season.

Early in the game, Orlando terrorized Philadelphia with their pace, getting up and down on a handful of possessions. With Elfrid Payton pushing it, the Magic tallied nine of their 26 points on the break. However, they struggled with turnovers yet again, coughing it up nine times in the quarter. Tony Wroten led all scorers with 11 in the quarter, while Nikola Vuceivc once again got the Magic going early knocking down 4-of-5 in the quarter en route to eight points.

Yet again, turnovers were an issue for the Magic in the second quarter. They coughed it up eight more times, leading to five points for the Sixers. Philadelphia continued knocking down three-pointers, while the Magic continued to miss, before Channing Frye finally knocked one down late in the half. Vucevic led the way for the Magic, finishing with 12 points in the half, while Wroten continued to lead the Sixers, finishing with 15 in the opening half.

Out of halftime, the Magic looked sluggish, allowing the Sixers to go on a 12-4 run to open the quarter. However, Orlando would answer, going on a 12-2 run of their own later in the quarter to tie the game up. Brandon Davis knocked down 4-of-5 from the field to lead the Sixers with nine in the quarter. Channing Frye knocked down all three of his shots to lead the Magic with seven in the quarter.

With the game close, the Magic turned to the one and only… Ben Gordon! Wait, what? Yes, Ben Gordon got the Magic going in the fourth quarter with six early points. After taking a six point lead, Wroten led the Sixers on a 10-2 run to grab an 87-85 lead with under two minutes to play. Elfrid Payton would not let the Magic die, however, tying the game up at 87, before forcing a big turnover and finding Tobias Harris to give the Magic an 89-87 lead. After Henry Sims tied it up with 4.6 seconds left, Tobias Harris hit a long two for the buzzer beater for the Magic win.

Five Magic men finished in double figures, led by Harris’ 18 points and eight rebounds. Vucevic, who failed to record a double-double for the first time this season, finished with 17 on the night. Ben Gordon scored 15 off the bench, while Channing Frye notched his first double-double with the team, finishing with finishing with 13 points and 11 rebounds. Evan Fournier was the final Magic man in double figures, finishing with 10.

Philadelphia was led by Wroten, who finished with a game high 27. Brandon Davies notched a career high with 20 points, while K.J. McDaniels scored 12 off the bench.

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