Sixers Top Short-Handed Magic

Magic coach Stan Van Gundy couldn't have cared less about the emotional toll of a trade-filled day.

“Make every excuse in the world,” he said. “That's five straight games where we've done nothing to defend in the second half. So whatever the excuses are. I'm running out of them. I don't believe in any of them. Go out and guard somebody.”

The game was the first of eight straight on the road for the Sixers. Their grueling trip will cover some 9,300 miles, and they won't play another game in Philadelphia until Jan. 5.

Orlando even gave them a send-off gift by putting up little resistance.

After having the minimum amount of players available at tip-off, the Magic played the second half with only seven when backup point guard Jason Williams injured his left foot and did not return. The fatigue finally overwhelmed them.

“It was tough. This was kind of like the first time something like that happened on my team,” Orlando's Jameer Nelson said. “I just had to approach the game the same way.”

It wasn't easy.

Dwight Howard had 26 points and 20 rebounds, and Brandon Bass had 18 points for the Magic. Orlando's recent struggles _ coupled with the surge atop the Eastern Conference standings by Boston and rival Miami _ forced the Magic to make the only moves they could to revamp their roster.

Orlando sent forward Rashard Lewis to Washington, and Vince Carter, Mickael Pietrus and Marcin Gortat to Phoenix in a separate trade. The Magic also gave Phoenix their 2011 first-round draft pick and cash, and received Suns forward Earl Clark.

Philadelphia never took it easy on them.

The Sixers took full advantage by wearing down the Magic on an emotional day that left them without some longtime teammates. Philadelphia went ahead by 15 points in the fourth quarter and never looked back.

“Defensively as a team, this is the best we've played as a unit,” Brand said. “It feels like we're hitting on all cylinders defensively.”

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