76ers/Magic preview

PHI (34-34, 15-19 road) has won 8 of their last 9 games and 16 of their last 20 games (with impressive wins at PHO, at DET, and home wins over DAL, SA, the Magic, and DEN) and are now in solid playoff contention in the East as the 7th seed. They will be trying to go above .500 for the first time since they traded star Allen Iverson to DEN in DEC 2006. The 76ers are coming off an exciting 115-113 win over DEN on WED in Iverson's first appearance in Philly since the trade. Andre Miller scored 28 pts to lead PHI.

The Magic (45-25, 22-13 home) are coming off one of their worst offensive games of the season in a 87-86 loss to WAS, which was the first time all season they lost a game where they allowed the opponent 95 or fewer pts.

The probable starting lineup for PHI:

G... Andre Miller (17.2 ppg, 6.7 asts)
G... Willie Green (12.9 ppg)
F... Andre Iguodala (19.8 ppg, 5.5 rebs)
F... Reggie Evans (5.5 ppg, 8.0 rebs)
C... Samuel Dalembert (10.8 ppg, 10.1 rebs)

Key reserves: Louis Williams (11.0 ppg); Thaddeus Young (7.6 ppg); Rodney Carney (5.8 ppg); Jason Smith (4.7 ppg)

PHI is averaging 96.6 ppg while allowing 95.8 ppg; ORL is averaging 104.7 ppg and allows 99.9 ppg.

Despite the loss to the Wizards, the Magic have still won 8 of their last 10 games and 13 of 17. Magic are 2-1 against PHI this season, losing the last game they played at PHI last month. Magic are 6 pt favorites (www.pinnaclesports.com).