News and Features

Game 6: Philadelphia 76ers (2) vs. Orlando Magic (3)

Arena: Wachovia Center
Date: Thursday, April 30
Tip off: 7:30pm
TV: Comcast SportsNet
Radio: 610 WIP

By winning Tuesday night in Orlando, the Magic took a 3-2 series lead and put the pressure squarely on Philadelphia. To extend the series to a Game 7 the Sixers must win Game 6 on Thursday at the Wachovia Center.

“This series is a game of possessions,” said Andre Miller. “Anytime a team gets 15 offensive rebounds and you have a lot of turnovers, you lose.”

The Sixers won Game 1 in Orlando and Game 3 in Philadelphia but dropped Game 4 when they had a chance to take a 3-1 lead.

The Magic will be without All-Star Dwight Howard for Game 6. Howard was suspended one game by the NBA on Wednesday for his elbow on Sixers center Samuel Dalembert in the first quarter of Orlando’s Game 5 victory.

The two tangled going for a rebound in the first quarter and Howard whacked Dalembert on the left side of the face. Howard drew a technical foul for the hit.

Howard said in a statement on Wednesday he was disappointed, but respected, the league’s decision.

Orlando will also be without starting shooting-guard Courtney Lee. The Magic said Wednesday that Lee had a fractured sinus after taking an elbow to the head from teammate Dwight Howard in Game 5 on Tuesday night. Lee’s status for the remainder of the playoffs is uncertain. Howard soared to block a shot by Willie Green in the first quarter and inadvertently came down on his teammate.

With Orlando missing two starters for Thursday night’s game, Philadelphia not only has a strong case to win Game 6 at home but also the opportunity to ride positive momentum into Game 7 and possibly pull off two consecutive victories for the first time in the series, a feat they’ll have to accomplish if they plan on advancing for the first time in six years.