Magic's early momentum stalls in 136-124 loss to 76ers

Orlando's early-season momentum has stalled. The Magic lost 136-124 to the Philadelphia 76ers on Monday night at Xfinity Mobile Arena, dropping their third straight game after a 111-107 loss to the Atlanta Hawks and a 110-98 defeat by the Chicago Bulls. The losses leave Orlando searching for answers on both ends of the floor as it continues a five-game road trip.

Tyrese Maxey led the 76ers with 43 points as Philadelphia pulled away in the fourth quarter, finishing with a 12-point margin. Rookie guard V.J. Edgecombe contributed 26 and Kelly Oubre Jr. added 25, while the Sixers finished with just seven turnovers. For Orlando, Paolo Banchero scored 32, Desmond Bane had 24 and Franz Wagner added 22, but the Magic were outscored 30-21 in the decisive portion of the fourth quarter and were unable to overcome a stingy Philadelphia attack.

The game highlighted several recurring issues for the Magic. Orlando shot 68.4 percent from the free throw line, continuing a season-long struggle at the charity stripe, and the bench provided little support; Philadelphia’s reserves outscored Orlando’s bench 31-24. Coach Jamahl Mosley also made a lineup change by inserting rookie Noah Penda into the...