It’s a series that the “experts” said would go 5 games at the most. It’s a series that the “experts” said wouldn’t be close at all.
Well, it’s a series that the Sixers have been in since the start.
The effort is there from the Sixers, however, it’s the little things that they do not do that has cost them the three games they have lost in this series thus far. 
Looking at the shooting percentages from last night, they are nearly identical. However, the Sixers defense finally broke down and was unable to stop the Magic from throwing daggers from behind three point range. The Sixers not making their foul shots was a problem before and it continued last night.
Below is the list I wrote in my last article of things the Sixers had to do to win game 5 lets see how they did:
1. Control the Tempo Early
The Sixers did a good job of sticking with the Magic in the first half. However, in the second half the Magic controlled the play leading the whole way.
2. Take Higher Percentage Shots
Just like #1 the Sixers did a good job shooting higher percentage shots from the field in the first half. In the second, once again a different story, they chucked up desperate shots and completely ridiculous looks from three.
3. Keep Up the Defensive Intensity
I feel like a broken record, but it’s the same story with this one as well. The Sixers did a good job staying with the Magic in the first half, and things fell apart in the second half.
4. Get to the Line and MAKE Your Free Throws
The Sixers did a better job of getting to the line, but they continued to shoot a lousy percentage from the charity stripe. Simply inexcusable and a big reason why they lost game 5.
5. Establish SOMETHING, ANYTHING Inside
Four out of Five here. The Sixers did their best, made an effort to get the ball inside to try and get past that tough Orlando defense. However, AGAIN, they were not able to establish this in the second half.
So what’s the meaning of all of this?
Orlando is just flat out the better team. Something we all knew coming in, but they have taken the Sixers best shot and they have shot back. Good teams make the changes needed to gain the advantage. In the second half of last nights game the Magic did what they had to do to pull away from the Sixers. They played tougher defense and were more aggressive toward the basket and made the Sixers abandon their game plan to try and 
catch up.
The Sixers aren’t done yet, heading back home for game 6. The 5 things they have to do to win list hasn’t changed, and they still must do these things to win game 6. Getting a lead early would be a great help. The frustration that the Sixers have caused the Magic this serious were obvious even in the first half of game 5. Just look at Dwight Howard’s elbow to the head of Samuel Dalmebert. So there is no reason that one half of basketball should decide this series. The Sixers will once again have to dig deep, remember it isn’t all over when this series is over. There is a future building here, there are many people who have a lot invested in this team and how they respond now will go a long way to determining what this team will be.
-Mike Santa Barbara
