The Sixers haven't won two consecutive games in the first-round series against the Magic. They're going to have to do it if they plan on advancing for the first time in six years.
Tuesday night's 91-78 loss in Orlando gave the Magic a 3-2 lead in the series. The Sixers must take Game 6 on Thursday at the Wachovia Center and Game 7 back in Central Florida. "This series is a game of possessions," said guard 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 Philly but dropped Game 4 when they had a chance to take a 3-1 lead.
The Sixers' chances of sending the series to Game 7 were greatly enhanced Wednesday when the NBA suspended Magic center Dwight Howard for Game 6 because he threw an elbow that appeared to graze the head of Samuel Dalembert in the first quarter Tuesday. The officials assessed Howard a technical foul on the play. Howard had 24 points and 24 rebounds Tuesday.
Sixers coach Tony DiLeo also complained about Howard being allowed to stay in the lane at both ends of the court.
"He's a great player," DiLeo said. "He doesn't need any advantages."
"He is camping out a little bit," Miller said. "It's something we can't worry about."
Orlando coach Stan Van Gundy responded: "Am I supposed to talk about the game or lobby for the cause I want? Just play the games. I guess that's the only reason Dwight's having success in the series. It's not that he's good."
MAGIC 91, SIXERS 78: The Magic became the first team to win by double figures in the series. Orlando outscored the Sixers from the three-point line 24-12 in Game 5 and held a 15-4 edge in offensive rebounds after grabbing only three offensive boards in Game 4. Howard had 10 of them. The Sixers also only had one more assist (17) than turnover (16).
Andre Iguodala led the Sixers with 26 points, 20 of which he scored in the second half. Andre Miller scored 17 and Willie Green had 16. The Philly bench managed just six points on 3-for-9 shooting.
