Jase Richardson and Noah Penda were back in the lineup Wednesday afternoon, and Orlando’s Summer League group kept rolling in Las Vegas.
The Magic outlasted the 76ers 99-92 inside UNLV’s Thomas & Mack Center for their third win of the exhibition slate, leaning on a fast start, a big cushion and just enough late shot-making to survive Philadelphia’s push.
Richardson and Penda, who sat out Sunday’s game against Portland to rest in the second half of a back-to-back, made their presence felt early. Both knocked down long-range shots, got teammates involved and helped set the tone defensively as Orlando built control of the game.
Richardson finished with 25 points on 10-for-15 shooting, plus four assists and three steals in 30 minutes. Penda filled the box score with 10 points, six rebounds, six assists, three blocks and a steal in 29 minutes.
Orlando looked like it might cruise after opening up a lead as large as 30 points, but Philadelphia kept chipping away. The Sixers tightened the screws defensively, forced turnovers and ripped off a 16-2 run to pull within 93-89 with 1:37 left.
Turnovers were a major part of the story on both sides. Richardson had four of Orlando’s 24 giveaways, and Lester Quinones led the Magic with six turnovers while scoring 12 points.
Those Orlando miscues turned into 32 Philadelphia points. Still, the Sixers had their own ball-security issues, and the Magic made them pay with 23 points off 20 takeaways.
The Magic’s early burst came in a 15-0 run in the first quarter, helping them jump out to a 30-17 edge after the shorter 10-minute opening frame. Orlando carried a 65-37 lead into halftime before the game shifted in the second half, when Philadelphia outscored the Magic 55-34 and 29-18 in the fourth quarter.
Orlando got the final answers when it needed them. Richardson delivered a key basket, Penda added a pair of free throws and Quinones finished with a layup to seal it.
The Magic also did a solid job slowing down Philadelphia rookie Labaron Philon Jr., the No. 22 pick in June’s NBA draft. Philon Jr. scored 15 points but went just 1-for-13 from 3-point range.
Colin Castleton and Alex Morales gave Orlando more production from its two-way players. Castleton scored 14 points and grabbed six rebounds with a block, while Morales added 13 points, 10 rebounds, five assists and three steals for a double-double.
Will Baker provided a quick spark off the bench, scoring nine efficient points in 10 minutes.
Orlando moved to 3-1 in Las Vegas, and a fifth game will be added to its schedule depending on other results later Wednesday. Philadelphia dropped to 2-2 out west.
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