• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers
• Game Tracker

Magic try to halt losing streak in Philly

Feb 26, 2013 - 4:01 PM (Sports Network) - Philadelphia 76ers forward Thaddeus Young said the team is starting to feel a sense of urgency with the proverbial clock winding down on the season and a chance to return to the playoffs.

The Sixers can erase some of that doubt when they attempt to halt a five-game losing streak -- the third of its kind this season -- Tuesday versus the Orlando Magic at Wells Fargo Center.

Young was asked about feeling the pressure on Monday.

"Yeah, definitely," Young said. "Each and every game the clock is ticking. But personally we have to keep going out there and just try and figure out ways to win games and I think the biggest part right now for us winning games is those spurts. We have to be able to withstand those spurts and if we can't it's going to be hard for us to win."

Young returned to the floor in Sunday's 99-93 loss at New York after missing six in a row because of a hamstring injury. He played just over 35 minutes against the Knicks and finished with 11 points, 10 rebounds and four steals.

He talked about both the Sixers and Magic riding identical five-game slides.

"It's definitely a tough situation coming in where teams have five or so losses in a row where you have to come out and try to beat a team because everybody's gonna be ready for that game," Young said. "You always want to get off that skid where you're losing games. We just have to come out and be ready physically to play and come out and beat the team that we know we can beat and go out there and just have fun."

Jrue Holiday netted 30 points and Evan Turner finished with 21 points, eight assists and six rebounds in the loss at New York. The Sixers, who went 1-5 without Young in the lineup, were down by as many as 17 points in the second quarter and haven't lost six in a row in a season since March 30-April 9. 2010. They are averaging just 86.9 ppg in the last 10 games and have scored below 94 points in each of those contests.

Over the past five games, opponents are averaging 101.6 points against the Sixers, who are 16-14 at home this season.

Orlando is also mired in a five-game losing streak, but has also dropped 17 of 18 and 10 in a row on the road.

The Magic's woes continued with Saturday's 118-94 home loss to Cleveland as Arron Afflalo scored 16 points and Tobias Harris had 14 points and six rebounds for Orlando, which got 10 points and seven assists from Beno Udrih.

"I think you still hold guys accountable," said Magic coach Jacque Vaughn. "There is no mistake in the accountability ... It doesn't guarantee you wins and losses, but we're trying to play the best that we can and that's what you want to do. Each time you step on the floor you do your job. You play the best you can."

Magic point guard Jameer Nelson missed his second consecutive game due to a left knee patella contusion and is expected to miss Tuesday's game. Magic forward Al Harrington (knee) is questionable against the 76ers.

The Magic are 0-7 on the road against teams from the Atlantic Division, 2-14 in East play and 6-21 overall as the visitor. After visiting south Philly, the Magic will return to central Florida for three straight games.

Orlando lost the first meeting with Philadelphia by a 78-61 score on Feb 4. Spencer Hawes had 21 points and 14 rebounds in that one for the Sixers, who have still dropped three of four and 18 of the last 22 meetings in the series.

The Magic have won seven of nine and 11 of the last 14 games at Philadelphia. These two teams will meet again March 10 at Amway Center.