Paul George has 21 points and 9 assists in the 76ers' 102-94 victory over the Magic

Paul George has 21 points and 9 assists in the 76ers’ 102-94 victory over the Magic

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Philadelphia 76ers’ Paul George reacts after scoring during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Orlando Magic, Friday, Dec. 6, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

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Philadelphia 76ers’ Paul George, right, tries to get past Orlando Magic’s Franz Wagner during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Dec. 6, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

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Philadelphia 76ers’ KJ Martin, right, goes up for a dunk against Orlando Magic’s Jalen Suggs during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Dec. 6, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

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Orlando Magic’s Moritz Wagner, center, dunks against Philadelphia 76ers’ Paul George, right, during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Dec. 6, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

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Philadelphia 76ers’ Andre Drummond, left, pulls in a rebound against Orlando Magic’s Moritz Wagner during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Dec. 6, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

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Philadelphia 76ers’ Guerschon Yabusele, left, goes up for a shot against Orlando Magic’s Goga Bitadze during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Dec. 6, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

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Philadelphia 76ers’ Kelly Oubre Jr., center, goes up for a dunk between Orlando Magic’s Jalen Suggs, left, and Tristan da Silva during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Dec. 6, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

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Philadelphia 76ers’ KJ Martin, right, goes up for a shot against Orlando Magic’s Jalen Suggs during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Dec. 6, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

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Orlando Magic’s Jalen Suggs, right, goes up for a shot against Philadelphia 76ers’ Andre Drummond during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Dec. 6, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

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Orlando Magic’s Franz Wagner, center, goes up for a shot between Philadelphia 76ers’ Andre Drummond, left, and Jared McCain during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Dec. 6, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

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Orlando Magic’s Franz Wagner, right, goes up for a shot against Philadelphia 76ers’ Kelly Oubre Jr., center, and Caleb Martin during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Dec. 6, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

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Orlando Magic’s Jalen Suggs, left, collides with Philadelphia 76ers’ Tyrese Maxey during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Dec. 6, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

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Orlando Magic’s Wendell Carter Jr., right, and Philadelphia 76ers’ Paul George reach for a rebound during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Dec. 6, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

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Orlando Magic’s Jalen Suggs, left, and Philadelphia 76ers’ Kelly Oubre Jr. battle for the ball during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Dec. 6, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

By KEVIN COONEY

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Paul George had 21 points and nine assists second in his game since bruising a bone in his left knee, leading the Philadelphia 76ers to a 102-94 victory over the Orlando Magic on Friday night.

KJ Martin added 20 points to help Philadelphia improve to 6-15. The 76ers have won three of four for the first time this season.

Franz Wagner scored 30 points for the Magic, and Jalen Suggs has 22. Orlando dropped to 16-9.

Takeaways

Magic: If the Magic are going to be taken seriously in the Eastern Conference, they’ll have to improve their three-point shooting percentage. They entered the night at an NBA-worst 31.2%.

76ers: Joel Embiid could be back sooner rather than later from chronic knee swelling. He has played only four games this season

Key moment

After the Magic cut a 17-point lead to seven early in the fourth, Philadelphia was able to force two turnovers, with George and Martin making baskets to extend the margin to 13.

Key stat

Orlando shot 4 of 21 from the floor in the second quarter and 0 for 13 from three point range in the session. It turned a two-point lead into a nine-point deficit.

Up next

The Magic host Phoenix on Sunday. The 76ers are at Chicago on Sundayl.

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AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba