Two games into the season, the Philadelphia 76ers already have shown they can lean on multiple options to carry the team.
The Sixers aim to continue their unbeaten start to the season Monday when the Orlando Magic come to town.
Philadelphia nipped the Boston Celtics 117-116 in its season opener Wednesday as Tyrese Maxey scored 40 points and rookie V.J. Edgecombe added 34 — the third-most points in league history for a player in his NBA debut.
In Saturday’s 125-121 result over the Charlotte Hornets, Quentin Grimes hit the decisive 3-pointer with 14 seconds left to lift the team to a come-from-behind victory in its home opener.
“Whatever you can (do) to win the game,” Grimes said after scoring 24 points off the bench.
Maxey added 28 points against the Hornets, while Joel Embiid chipped in with 20 points in 20 minutes as he continues to play on a tight minutes restriction following knee surgery last season.
“Trying to work my way back and trying to figure it out,” said Embiid, who shot 7 of 11 from the floor following a 1-of-9 performance (four points) in 20 minutes in the season opener. “Obviously, it’s easier when you make shots like I did (Saturday).”
Andre Drummond could receive more minutes Monday after giving the team a big lift down the stretch Saturday. With Embiid on the bench in the second half, Drummond registered seven points and 13 rebounds in 16 minutes.
“I just thought it was time to find some spark of energy, and he certainly provided it,” Philadelphia coach Nick Nurse said.
Orlando has watched its offense trend in the wrong direction through the first three games. The Magic scored 125 points in a season-opening win over the Miami Heat, followed by 107 in a loss to the Atlanta Hawks and most recently 98 in a 12-point defeat to the Chicago Bulls. The Magic played all three games at home.
Orlando shot just 3 of 24 (12.5%) from 3-point range against Chicago, with Tristan da Silva missing all six of his attempts. Tyus Jones was 0 of 2 from long distance and 0 of 5 overall from the floor, while Paolo Banchero had 24 points but shot just 7 of 21 from the floor.
“It’s a make-or-miss league in that regard,” Magic coach Jamahl Mosley said. “I thought we got some great looks, but those are parts where you have to step in and knock them down.
“You give Chicago credit for the way they were flying around. But again, it’s no excuses there. We have to step in and knock shots down. We’ve got to attack the basket and finish with force and authority.”
A total of 20 Magic turnovers, including five by Anthony Black, didn’t help matters. The Bulls turned those into 24 points.
“Just trying to figure it out,” said Black, who had 19 points off the bench. “It’s early in the season. It’s too early to overreact. Just conversation going on trying to figure out what it is. Obviously, we are playing a lot faster, so we expect to be turning it over a little bit. We just probably have to make quicker decisions and take care of the ball.”
The Magic won three of the four meetings between the teams last season.
