In a zone, Curry provides needed shooting magic

PHILADELPHIA » Down to one last trick in an effort to defeat the Sixers Monday, the struggling Orlando Magic spent most of the final three quarters in a zone defense.

The Sixers responded with Seth Curry.

The Magic fell to 4-18. While the zone did push the Sixers out of rhythm, Curry shot 10-for-13 overall and 3-for-5 from the arc for 24 points, keying a 101-96 victory that snapped a twogame losing streak.

“He made some big shots all throughout the game,” Tobias Harris said. “That made them kind of think twice about the zone, just with the shots he was able to get. He was very good tonight, and we needed it.”

In the midst of a stretch when they will have played 10 of 12 on the road, the Sixers showed fatigue. In his second game back following a nine-game absence from a bout with COVID, Joel Embiid was particularly sluggish, playing 30 minutes and scoring 16 points.

Curry, though, was hot enough to make the difference.

“When I get a good look, I expect to make it,” he said. “I got some good looks. The ball found me in good spots and I was able to knock it down.”

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Having lost eight of 10 games with a variety of combinations, Doc Rivers was able to start his preferred lineup of Curry, Harris, Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and Danny Green.

Green, who had not started since Nov. 13 and remains on a minutes limit as he recovers from a hamstring injury, played 24 minutes, settling for five points. He replaced Matisse Thybulle, who started Saturday in a doubleovertime loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves.

“As I said before the year, this is a starting lineup that will change a lot,” Rivers said. “Danny has the power to start or come off the bench.

When he starts, he provides spacing, shooting, defense. When Matisse starts, it’s more about defense.

“When we started Matisse the other night, it looked great, but when they trapped Joel every time, we had one less shooter. So you can go either way with it.”

The restraints on Green’s playing time remain in effect.

“Whether he starts or comes off the bench, he’s going to play a certain number of minutes,” Rivers said. “That’s probably going to go on for another week or two, for sure.”

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After committing four turnovers, including a critical one in the second overtime against Minnesota, Maxey was willing to accept blame.

“We’ve got to execute down the stretch,” the point guard said. “We have to get good shots and take care of the ball.”

By Monday, Rivers was determined to be reassuring.

“He’s in a great spot with the team,” the coach said. “I had him as a rookie and now in his second year. When you turn it over down the stretch, you always put it on yourself. Joel was great in the locker room, saying, ‘It was my fault.’ It was everyone’s fault.”

While Maxey provided 15 points against Minnesota, he often seemed hesitant to attempt open shots, at least in the second half. Monday, he did not commit a turnover, yet he was 2-for-12 from the field

“It’s tough,” Rivers said. “He’s young and he’s playing with a bunch of guys who are really good.”

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The Sixers will begin a fourgame road test at 7:30 Wednesday in Boston. They also visit Atlanta and have a two-game set in Charlotte.

“Well, I saw this before the season,” Rivers said. “It’s a great opportunity for us. That’s the way I see it. They are good teams. And if we play the way we did tonight, we’ll lose games. Boston has been playing better. Charlotte is playing great. Atlanta is starting to play well. We’ll see what we’ve got.”