Philadelphia 76ers forward Paul George (8) leaves the court after an NBA game against the Orlando Magic at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images
Paul George scored 21 points and handed out nine assists Friday as the 76ers topped the Orlando Magic 102-94 to earn a split of the teams’ two-game home NBA series in Philadelphia.
The Sixers dropped a 106-102 decision to the Magic on Wednesday in the absence of George (knee), but they authored a crisper effort in this one despite once again playing without Joel Embiid (knee).
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KJ Martin provided a lift with a season-high 20 points on 9-of-10 shooting off the Philadelphia bench, while Tyrese Maxey and Guerschon Yabusele each pitched in 16 points.
READ: NBA: 76ers’ Paul George sidelined 2 games with knee injury
Franz Wagner led Orlando with 30 points, while Jalen Suggs recorded 22 points. Moritz Wagner chipped in 12 points and nine rebounds for the Magic, who shot just 13-for-46 (28.3 percent) from 3-point range and committed 21 turnovers.
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The Sixers led 59-57 with about three minutes left in the third quarter before closing the period on a 12-2 run.
Kelly Oubre (13 points, 10 rebounds) began the surge with a 3-pointer, and Martin’s dunk made it a seven-point game. Maxey and Jared McCain combined for Philadelphia’s final seven points of the run, and the Sixers led 71-59 heading into the final quarter.
READ: NBA: 76ers spend $400M in contracts for Paul George, Maxey
Philadelphia extended its lead to 78-61 on George’s contested 3-pointer with 10:25 to go, but Orlando responded with 10 consecutive points, highlighted by consecutive 3-pointers from Moritz Wagner and Cole Anthony.
The hosts responded with six straight points — four by George — to restore an 84-71 cushion.
Suggs kept the Magic close down the stretch with three 3-pointers and two free throws in the final 4 1/2 minutes. However, he airballed two tough long-range attempts in the final 35 seconds, and the Sixers sealed the game at the foul line.
Franz Wagner scored 15 of Orlando’s 27 points as the visitors led by two after the first quarter.
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Philadelphia scored the first 10 points of the second quarter and later went into the locker room leading 50-41 despite 20 points from Franz Wagner. The German forward shot 7-for-15 in the first half, while his teammates were 7-for-28. –Field Level Media