ALLENTOWN, Pa. (AP) — Philadelphia’s Drew Gordon scored 16 points Saturday night, getting the better of younger brother Aaron as the 76ers held off the Orlando Magic 95-84.
The 6-foot-9 Drew Gordon, a 24-year-old undrafted free agent forward trying to earn a roster spot after playing two seasons overseas, was 6 of 9 from the field as the 76ers improved to 2-4. Younger brother Aaron, who is also 6-9 and five years younger, was the fourth pick in this year’s draft out of Arizona. Aaron did not score for the Magic while playing a little over five minutes in the first half.
Andrew Nicholson scored 23 points to pace Orlando (4-2).
The Magic, which trailed by 26 points early in the third quarter, twice crept within eight in the closing minutes, but could get no closer.
Sixers point guard Michael Carter-Williams, last year’s rookie of the year, has yet to play this preseason. He recently said he could be out as long as nine months after undergoing shoulder surgery in May.
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TIP-INS
76ers: It was the first NBA game in the PPL Center, which opened in September. The attendance for the 10,500-seat facility was 5,764. . Guard Malcolm Lee sprained his left ankle in the third quarter and did not return. … Center Nerlens Noel (upper respiratory infection) and guard Tony Wroten (family emergency) did not play.
Orlando: Veterans Nikola Vucevic, Tobias Harris, Luke Ridnour and Ben Gordon rested. Victor Oladipo and Channing Frye have yet to play in the preseason because of knee injuries.
CHAMPIONSHIP FORM
Former heavyweight champion Larry Holmes, a resident of nearby Easton, Pennsylvania, was in attendance.
BY THE NUMBERS
76ers: Philadelphia had 16 of their 25 turnovers in the second half, leading to 18 Magic points. …. Philadelphia struggled from behind the arc, shooting just 3 of 15.
Magic: Dewayne Dedmon, a former Sixer, had 10 points and 14 rebounds. … The Magic were even worse from three-point range than the 76ers, making just 2 of 16.
WHAT’S NEXT
The 76ers visit Brooklyn on Monday.
The Magic host the Rockets Wednesday.
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