What They're Saying: Magic vs. 76ers 11/6

Orlando gets its first crack in front of a national television audience against Philadelphia tonight. It could be very ugly if the Magic continue playing the way they are playing.

Or it could be really ugly if the 76ers play the way they have been playing. Philadelphia is a turnover-prone team and has stumbled out to a 2-3 start despite the high profile signing of Elton Brand.

Matchup to Watch: Dwight Howard vs. Elton Brand. They may not be matched up directly at the beginning of the game, but by the end (if it is close), it will come down to who can make plays -- Howard or Brand. Howard still seems to be on a tear from two difficult losses to start the season. He has had some success against Philadelphia, but this will be his first time going up against its new front line.

-As mentioned before, both teams are really struggling. One thing that needs to change for both teams to fulfill their lofty preseason expectations is to fix their turnover problems. Matt Beardmore of STATS writes on NBA.com has a pretty comprehensive preview of tonight's game, including a good stat about how Jameer Nelson has almost as many turnovers (11) as assists (14) so far.

-Free agents have transformed a couple teams in recent years from pretenders to contenders. Kyle Hightower of The Orlando Sentinel takes alook at how the Brand and Rashard Lewis signings have raised expectations for the teams in tonight's game.

-Brian Schmitz of The Orlando Sentinel further writes that if the Magic are to make some headway, November is the time. Orlando is in the midst of a five-game home stand right now and the team's first extensive road trip is not that difficult. Plus, JJ Redick will not be the first one off the bench tonight after Keith Bogans' strong game against Chicago.

-Stan Van Gundy admits it is a little early for a must-win game. But tonight's nationally-televised matchup against another up-and-coming team should get the Magic's blood growing, John Denton of Florida Today writes. At least Van Gundy hopes it will get them fired up.

-Former Florida player Marreesse Speights has become a fan favorite in Philadelphia... even if he is not getting any playing time yet, Kate Fagan of The Philadelphia Inquirer writes. Coach Maurice Cheeks did say that whenever Speights goes in, good things happen -- mostly because he has only played in blowout wins.

-It has been a while since both Orlando and Philadelphia mattered enough to be on national television. I know I am excited to get the chance to watch the Magic on national television several times this season. And apparently so are Sixers fans. Jsams over at Liberty Ballers, a 76ers blog, is very very excited to see his team in HD tonight.

-No wonder the Bulls could not complete an improbable late game comeback Monday night. Chicago's offense seems confused and frustrated, KC Johnson of the Chicago Tribune writes after the team's 107-93 loss at Cleveland. The Bulls have always needed a primary scoring option and that seems to be hurting this team more than ever (maybe they should have taken Michael Beasley, no matter how good Derrick Rose is playing right now).

Prediction: the Magic seem to be heading in the right direction after a solid victory over the Bulls. But there were plenty of things to be worried about from that game. Turnovers will be an issue for both teams in this incredibly ugly basketball game.

The game will come down to whether Jameer Nelson and Hedo Turkoglu can take care of the ball. They have both started extremely slow. The Sixers are as likely to score 100 points as they are 80 (as they showed in a 106-83 loss to the Heat last night).

But the Magic have not shown they are consistent enough this season to beat a top team. Expect Philadelphia to come in to Amway Arena a lot more focused than they were last night. The Magic desperately need a wake-up call and another morale-shattering loss could be in the works very soon.

Philadelphia edges Orlando out in this one thanks to Andre Iguodala and Andre Miller taking care of the ball better than the Magic.

76ers 100, Magic 93