CAMDEN, N.J. — The Philadelphia 76ers will see their fair share of challenges when they take on the Orlando Magic on Wednesday night in the 7 vs. 8 play-in game. The Magic rely on their perimeter guards to cause havoc defensively and make life miserable for opposing guards so they can get out and run.<\/p>\n
Led by Jalen Suggs, Desmond Bane, and Anthony Black, the Magic will do their best to harass Sixers stars Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe out on the perimeter. Maxey has had success against the Magic on the season–as headlined in Sixers Wire’s deep dive<\/a> into this matchup–and he will look to continue that against Orlando in the play-in game.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n “They\u2019re physical defenders,” Maxey said of the Magic’s guard trio. “Gotta play extremely hard. They\u2019re extremely handsy. You gotta be strong with the ball.”<\/p>\n Handsy is right. Suggs averages 1.8 steals per game, Black averages 1.4, and Bane averages 1.0 so they will do everything they can to force turnovers and get easy baskets. That will be something to watch in the matchup on Wednesday.<\/p>\n Of course, there will be other factors that play into the game on Wednesday. The Magic have big, physical wings in Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner that carry the brunt of the offense, but the Sixers will have to be wary of Orlando’s guards.<\/p>\n “I know they\u2019re gonna be physical,” Edgecombe added. “I expect the game to be physical. They\u2019re good. They\u2019re good players, but my focus is just winning, man. I\u2019m not worried about, say\u2014I mean, obviously, I\u2019m worried about them in the case that I have to defend them, but I\u2019m not worried about them in any other way. I\u2019m just gonna hoop. Play basketball, and like I said, may the best team win.”<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n The Sixers can also match up with the Magic when both teams go to a 3-guard lineup. When Philadelphia turns to Quentin Grimes to join Maxey and Edgecombe, it’s another factor that can play into this matchup. While Orlando will roll out a Suggs, Bane, and Black focused lineup, the Sixers can do the same with their three guards and match up with them.<\/p>\n “Pretty well,” Maxey said. “Our speed, our playmaking abilities, and our scoring, our defense being able to switch certain guys on certain offensive players. I think it\u2019s gonna be good for us.”<\/p>\n Tip off is set for 7:30 p.m. EDT on Wednesday.<\/p>\n