PHILADELPHIA _ The 76ers did their best to downplay it.
They'll tell you the goal heading into Saturday night's matchup against the Orlando Magic was to play a complete game. But you had to know that "complete game" were the code words for not having a let-down against the struggling Orlando Magic.
They didn't, beating the Magic, 116-105, in front of a sellout crowd of 20,594 at Wells Fargo Center,
The Sixers improved to 32-25 and extended their overall winning streak to seven games. It also marked their 12th consecutive victory at the Wells Fargo Center. This was an important game for a squad that aspires to secure a top-four spot in the Eastern Conference playoffs. The Sixers are seventh in the conference standings with 25 games remaining.
They begin a three-game road trip against teams ranked among the conference's top eight Sunday night against the Washington Wizards (fourth) at Capital One Arena. Then the Sixers will face the Miami Heat (eighth) on Tuesday at American Airlines Arena, and they'll cap the trip against the Cleveland Cavaliers (third) on Thursday at Quicken Loans Arena.
That's why not having a let-down against the Magic (18-41), losers of five straight, was so vital.
Joel Embiid was his usual dominant self. He finished with game highs of 28 points and 14 rebounds to go with one block for his 30th double-double of the season. He's one of 10 NBA players with at least 30 double-doubles on the season.
Ben Simmons added 17 points on 7-of-11 shooting to go with a team-high seven assists and four rebounds. JJ Redick added 16 points on 6-for-8 shooting in a game where all five Sixer starters scored in double-figures.
Reserve guard Marco Belinelli erased memories of Thursday's subpar performance with 15 points on 6-of-12 shooting.
Richaun Holmes got a rare appearance at backup center in place of Amir Johnson. He finished with four points, eight rebounds, four assists, one steal, and one block in 21 minutes, 3 seconds. Johnson did not see action.
As a team, the Sixers shot 51.9 percent from the field.
They built a commanding 23-point lead (56-33) on Simmons' dunk with 2 minutes, 19 seconds remaining in the first half.
Aaron Gordon led the Magic with 20 points.
Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz was the ceremonial bell ringer prior to the game. Meanwhile, Orlando coach Frank Vogel, a Wildwood, N.J., native, wore an Eagles Super Bowl sweatshirt during his pregame presser.
