Sixers discuss biggest challenges Magic present before NBA Cup matchup

PHILADELPHIA -- As the Philadelphia 76ers prepare for a big NBA Cup matchup on Tuesday when they play host to the Orlando Magic, the focus is on containing a Magic team that has begun to put it together on the court.

The Magic are 9-4 since their 1-4 start as they have made big strides on the offensive end. Orlando is ranked No. 10 in the league in offensive rating and No. 19 in 3-point shooting as their guards have done a good job of getting into the paint, drawing attention, and kicking it out to open and ready shooters. That is something the Sixers will have to contend with on Tuesday.

"They’re a team that I think they have the highest percentage in paint or getting to the paint," Justin Edwards said at shootaround on Tuesday morning. "I think they're like 45% something like that. So, it’s gonna be tough trying to keep them out of the paint, and honestly, just the defensive part of it. The offensive part, I feel like we'll be able to handle ourselves."

The Sixers defeated the Magic earlier in the season with Paolo Banchero on the floor, but they won't have Banchero in this contest. Orlando is 4-2 without its star forward in the 2025-26 season and went 20-16 without him in the 2024-25 season so that means guys like Franz Wagner and Jalen Suggs take over the offense a bit which is something that coach Nick Nurse highlighted.

"They’re obviously different than the last time we played them and Banchero's out," Nurse said at practice on Monday. "It’s shifted much more of the focus towards Wagner, right? You guys remember this happened to him last year. I think each one of them went out at different times and kind of shifted for him. Suggs is back playing a lot more as well. I think he's really a big engine for their team. I think he's a really good player and a leader and a competitor for them. So, he's back playing."

The Magic are also a more of a traditional team as they have players playing traditional positions rather than going big or going small in certain lineups. There will be pressure on big man Andre Drummond to protect the basket as well defend Wendell Carter Jr. on the perimeter as he can provide both type of offensive production for Orlando.

"They’re just a little bit more, you know, a little bit more traditional," Nurse added. "I think there's a kind of a 1-2-3-4-5 instead of kind of couple 4s maybe out there and all that kind of stuff. So, yeah, they've actually been playing very well."

The Sixers and the Magic will tip off at 8 p.m. EST on Tuesday in the NBA Cup.

This article originally appeared on Sixers Wire: Sixers discuss biggest challenges Magic present before NBA Cup matchup