Adrian Fedkiw
A 16-point advantage gone in a blink.
That’s how you spoil Jimmy Butler’s Philadelphia 76ers debut.
Butler scored 14 points on 6-of-12 shooting and Joel Embiid recorded his first career triple-double, but the Sixers fell to the Orlando Magic 111-106 on Wednesday night.
Orlando used a 21-0 run to go in front midway through the fourth quarter, Terrence Ross hit a go-ahead 3-pointer with 8.7 seconds left and J.J. Redick stepped out of bounds on Philadelphia’s ensuing possession before the Magic sealed the victory at the foul line.
The two-man game between Embiid and Butler flourished in the opening frame. Butler cut backdoor on Evan Fournier along the left wing before getting the give-and-go pass back from Embiid and hanging at the rim for the layup and his first bucket as a 76er. Embiid and Butler combined to score the first 17 points for the Sixers, with Embiid posting 11 of them in just over four minutes of game action.
Nice backdoor cut and finish at the rim by Jimmy Butler for his 1st bucket as a Sixer pic.twitter.com/RwnBMPvuV3
— The Bitter Birds (@AdrianFedkiw) November 15, 2018
Butler worked off the ball for most of his field goals, but showed the ability to create his own shot with a pull-up jumper from the left elbow and a driving layup from the right wing. He also contributed four rebounds and two assists to go along with his 14 points. Here were his highlights.
Jimmy Butler with 14 points in 33 minutes on 6-of-12 shooting to go with four rebounds and two assists. He got most of his baskets moving without the basketball. He also pulled up for a jumper and drove in for a layup.
Here were his highlights in his Sixers' debut … pic.twitter.com/vDLzFAdGSN
— The Bitter Birds (@AdrianFedkiw) November 15, 2018
Following the game, Butler said it won’t be tough for the Sixers to get everything going.
“So far we all get along, that’s the first thing. We all want each other to be great. We’re all talking about where we’re supposed to be and what we see out there on the floor. Talent is coming sooner rather than later, we’re going to be just fine. Once we put this thing together, it’s going to be tough.”
My favorite Butler quote from the last few days was him saying that Embiid’s social media game is a “work of art.” He and Embiid will be building a lot of real estate this season.
Joel Embiid and Jimmy Butler will be building a lot of real estate this season ??? pic.twitter.com/24bTa6rjJK
— The Bitter Birds (@AdrianFedkiw) November 15, 2018
There was also this!
Omg this moment between Jimmy and TJ pic.twitter.com/tajaOwWRIn
— Drew Corrigan (@Dcorrigan50) November 15, 2018
Embiid recorded 19 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists for his triple-double. Butler will make his Sixers home debut Friday against the Utah Jazz.