"Best" and "Worst" awards: Sixers vs. Magic
ORLANDO –This is my look at some of the best and worst performances from the 76ers' 96-88 victory over the Orlando Magic at Amway Center Sunday night.
Best performance: I'm giving this to Michael Carter-Williams. The Sixers point guard made 7 of 12 field-goal attempts in en route to scoring a team-high 21 points. He also made 6 of 8 foul shots and had six assists and four rebounds. Carter-Williams did have a game-high six turnovers. But his huge nail-in-the-coffin three-pointer with 7 minutes, 27 seconds left should make even his most vocal critics forget about those turnovers.
Worst performance: I had to give this to Elfrid Payton. The Magic rookie point guard looked like … well, like a lost rookie. He missed all seven of his shot attempts and finished with one point. Payton did have a team-high six assists. But he looked lost at times late in the game.
Best defensive performance: This goes to Kyle O'Quinn. The Magic power forward finished with a game-high four blocked shots and a steal. He also had eight points, six rebounds and two assists.
Best performance in a losing effort: Nik Vucevic gets this by finishing with 19 points on 8-for-14 shooting. The center also had a game-high 17 rebounds in what was his 16th double-double of the season.
Worst statistic: This award goes to the Magic making just 11 of 20 foul shots.
Best statistic: I'm giving this to the Sixers' 52-43 rebounding advantage.
Worst of the Worst: This goes to the Magic's effort on defense. They were outhustled and enabled to the Sixers to grab 16 offensive rebounds.
Follow Inquirer 76ers beat writer Keith Pompey on Twitter @PompeyOnSixers and on Instagram at PompeyOnSixers