McCain shines again while Embiid, PG struggle in loss to Magic

Jared McCain dropped 29 points but fouled out and Joel Embiid and Paul George still didn’t look in rhythm as the Sixers fell to the Magic Friday.

Will someone get Jared McCain some help?

The Sixers fell 98-86 to the Orlando Magic Friday night, falling to 2-10 on the season and 0-2 in NBA Cup play.

McCain was unbelievably brilliant again, finishing with 29 points on 10-of-17 from the floor and 5-of-10 from three-point range. He fouled out with 4:56 left in the game and the Sixers, already teetering, just fell apart.

Joel Embiid got off to a strong start but wasn’t able to sustain it. He finished with 20 points and eight rebounds. He shot 5-of-15 from the floor and didn’t make a field goal in the second half.

Paul George was off the whole night, finishing with 13 points on 4-of-15 shooting. No other Sixers came close to double digits. Franz Wagner led all scorers with 31.

Here are some thoughts at the buzzer.

First Quarter

• Even with a healthier rotation, Nick Nurse still decided to shake things up. Jared McCain was inserted into the starting lineup for Kelly Oubre Jr, but McCain didn’t really touch the ball in his first five minutes. While Embiid was off to a good start, the rest of the starting lineup was not. George in particular was 0-for-6 in the quarter and even missed his technical free throw. He had a couple assists and three steals but couldn’t buy a bucket early.
• Guerschon Yabusele was the backup five tonight, checking in at the six-minute mark. While Andre Drummond did dress tonight, but it was unclear he was actually able to go. Rebounding was a mess early across both lineups. Orlando had grabbed their fourth offensive rebound while the Sixers had four rebounds total. The Sixers also had a three minute scoreless stretch which ended up with 9-0 Magic run.
• Embiid checked in and ended the run with an odd one-handed floater he banked in. McCain threw a really nice bounce pass to Yabusele in transition that cut the lead to three at the end of one.

Second Quarter

• The Sixers were able to build off that as they started the second on an 8-1 run. It was very evident Embiid was feeling much more comfortable than Tuesday as he made five of his first six shots fairly easily. McCain, who said earlier this week he wants to get at least one dunk this season, got that opportunity tonight.

• Well, it turns out Drummond was available as he relieved Embiid five minutes into the second. It took him three tries to complete a lob or a dump off — the first two ended in a stuffed dunk and an airball he caught. The Sixers scored four points in the near four minutes Embiid sat with PG still unable to get a shot to fall. They did however hold the Magic to just two during this stretch.
• When Embiid checked back in the offense picked up again. McCain got a transition three to go and snuck a scoop layup around Jonathan Isaac of all people. George finally got on the board with a catch-and-shoot three. On the other end, Kentavious-Caldwell Pope got a very friendly front roll on a three that made it just a two-point Sixers lead at the half.

Third Quarter

• McCain had some nice plays in the first half but came out of halftime very hot. His threes were falling and was able to finish most drives either with a basket or getting to the free throw line. His 15 points in the third notched his fourth straight game with at least 20 points.

• For the first time tonight, the Sixers were able to steady themselves when Embiid went to the bench. George finally getting something to fall helped. He already hit more threes in the third than he did all first half.
• The Sixers had a really poor ending to what had been a strong quarter. Orlando was able to force them into taking low quality, contested shots. Embiid got stripped by holding the basketball way too carelessly. Another 9-0 run gave the Magic a one-point lead to close the quarter.

Fourth Quarter

• Stretching quarters, the Sixers went over six minutes without scoring. They took a shot clock violation and a five-second violation early in the fourth. Embiid looked tired and was coming up short on his shot attempts.
• Of course it was McCain who made their first field goal in almost eight minutes by knocking down three. He also impressively spun around Jalen Suggs in the paint to get to his layup. On the other end though, Franz Wagner was able to catch him with his hand in the cookie jar for his sixth foul of the night.

• It is alarming how much this offense needed a 20-year-old rookie to steer them tonight. Anytime the offense was run through George or Embiid it ended in pretty uninspiring isolations. With how little margin for error the team has, this was one these two guys needed to go win for them.
• This road trip stays in Florida as the Sixers next matchup is against the Miami Heat Monday night at 7:30 p.m. ET.