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Despite a successful post-season run all the way to the NBA Finals, the Orlando Magic opted to change significant parts of their roster in order to become even more competitive in 2009-10. Thus, the team around Rashard Lewis and Dwight Howard will host the Philadelphia 76ers in their home opener on Wednesday at 10 p.m. GMT.

Unlike the Magic, the Philadelphia 76ers decided to stay put and are counting on the young team’s core to mature and compete for home court advantage in this year’s NBA campaign. Most importantly, Elton Brand has fully recovered from his shoulder injury and can be expected to significantly improve the 76ers’ front-court. Unfortunately, coach Eddie Jordan’s squad lost veteran point guard Andre Miller to the Portland Trailblazers and will most likely have to rely on the playmaking abilities of sophomore Lou Williams and rookie Jrue Holiday.

In contrast, the Orlando Magic underlined their ambitions to win a championship ring when they pulled off a blockbuster trade that brought Vince Carter to Florida in exchange for Courtney Lee and Rafer Alston. Moreover, GM Otis acquired Brandon Bass from the Dallas Mavericks and re-signed backup center Marcin Gortat. Even though unrestricted free agent Hedo Turkoglu left the Magic, their new rotation could be even more dangerous since Stan van Gundy will be able to move Rashard Lewis back to his natural small forward position.

Taking said circumstances into account, it looks like the 76ers will have a tough night ahead of them when they make their way to Orlando. Firstly, they have yet to show that they can handle the slower half-court basketball Elton Brand forces onto his teammates. Likewise, it remains to be seen whether Jrue Holiday, Lou Williams and Thaddeus Young can compensate for the loss of Andre Miller. The Magic on the other hand are coming off a stellar 7-0 preseason run and are highly motivated to clinch a win in their home opener on Wednesday.

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