Anthony Black scored a career-high 31 points to highlight the Orlando Magic’s 144-103 annihilation of the host Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday in an NBA Cup game.
Black scored 27 points in the first half, including a 20-point second quarter as Orlando set a franchise record for points in any quarter with 51 in the stanza. The team also set a new franchise mark with 86 points in the first half.
Despite continuing to play without Paolo Banchero (groin), the Magic had nine players score in double figures, including Franz Wagner (21) and Desmond Bane (15). The team compiled 82 bench points — the top total in the NBA this season — with Black and Jett Howard (13) leading the way.
Tyrese Maxey scored 20 points to pace Philadelphia, while Jared McCain pitched in with 15 points. The Sixers played without Joel Embiid, Paul George and VJ Edgecombe, among others.
The teams were tied 35-35 after one quarter, but the Magic needed less than four minutes in the second quarter to open a double-digit lead. Black scored seven points in that stretch, including a 3-pointer that put the visitors ahead 49-39.
Shortly thereafter, Jalen Suggs found Black with an alley-oop from beyond half court. Black then made a pair of 3-pointers — both off Suggs assists — as Orlando opened a 57-43 advantage.
The margin was similar (68-52) with under 3 1/2 minutes left before halftime when the Magic embarked on a quick 9-0 run. Wagner scored the first four points of that burst before Howard took care of the final five.
Black’s lay-in just before the final buzzer sent Orlando into the locker room with an 86-60 advantage.
About five minutes into the third quarter, Black’s finger roll sent the lead north of 30 for the first time. That bucket was part of a 17-0 run by the visitors, who went ahead by 42 when Tristan da Silva’s 3-pointer made it 111-69.
The Magic led by as many as 46 points in the fourth quarter.
There was an altercation near the end of the second quarter that resulted in six technical fouls, including a double-technical to Suggs. The Magic point guard was subsequently ejected, although he dished out a career-high 11 assists in 16 minutes before heading to the locker room.
–Field Level Media
