MVN: Most Valuable Network

It was just one of those games for the recently hot 76ers team. The Orlando Magic could do no wrong and the Sixers couldn't catch a break. Orlando dominated the Sixers 95-113. Coming off an emotional win over their former franchise player on Wednesday, the Sixers looked flat in all areas.

No real recap needed for this contest, the game was over a little after halftime. The game began with a defensive malfunction leaving the the biggest and main responsibility on defense, Dwight Howard, wide open for a dunk. In the previous meeting, the Sixers backcourt looked like Ginobili and Parker, abusing Maurice Evans, Keith Bogans and Jameer Nelson. Those three magic men scored in double figures and led the attack from 3-point range, tallying 7. Nelson penetrated with little to no Sixer defense, drawing defenders and leading to open threes. A good shooting Magic team shot 61% from downtown.

Our backcourt, both nursing back injuries, had their worst game of the month. Willie Green shot 1-9 and finished with only 2 points. The usually efficient Thaddeus Young even had an off 4-12 shooting night. Although Louis Williams tied a game high with 18 points, he reverted back to his score first mentality. The offense stalled when he touched the rock and he looked to drive and shoot every time. The only bright spot in the game was Reggie Evans, who always comes to play. Shavlik Randolph scored 6 points and 4 rebounds in only 5 minutes. You know it was bad when J.J Redick scores.

It wouldn't be the worse thing to draw the Pistons first round but I still prefer Orlando. The Sixers were coming off the biggest game of the season and have been playing at an high-level every game against top-tier teams. That can take a toll on a squad and they had a letdown game. Dwight Howard would be impossible to guard for 7 games and the Pistons have no one person with that talent level. But Detroit has maybe 9 or 10 players that have been starters in their career and been in the playoffs. They also have a proven point guard. In my opinion, it's a toss-up on the preferred opponent in the playoffs.

Sixers look to get back to .500 tonight against the New Jersey Nets. This will be our first-look at the new-look Nets without Jason Kidd. We should look to return back to that run-n-gun style where we are at our best. Sixers stand 1.0 game behind the Toronto Raptors who have been leap-frogged by the hot Wizards. Washington holds a 1.5 game lead over us.