"It's one thing when it's the playoffs and guys' minutes are going to get cut a bit. But when you have two starters out, the rotation is open for everybody."
The Magic played without all-star center Dwight Howard, who served a one-game suspension for elbowing the Sixers' Samuel Dalembert in Game 5.
They were missing rookie guard Courtney Lee, who suffered a sinus injury in Game 5 when Howard inadvertently smacked him in the face while going for a rebound.
Howard's penalty meant that he was not allowed in the arena last night. Lee could miss the rest of the playoffs.
In Lee's spot, Orlando turned to reserve J.J. Redick, who had scored eight points in three games during the series. Last night, the third-year pro finished with 15 points, a career playoff high.
"It was a huge challenge," said Redick, who made a career high of five three-point baskets.
Rafer Alston, the guard acquired from Houston with 29 games remaining in the regular season to run the Magic in Nelson's absence, came up with 21 points and 10 assists.
"It means a lot," Alston said of advancing past the first round of the playoffs. "We came out and played a solid and efficient basketball game."
By the time forward Hedo Turkoglu was ejected for his part in a skirmish with the Sixers' Samuel Dalembert - both received technical fouls - the Magic were leading by 101-77 with about seven minutes to play.
Turkoglu was expected to pick up the slack with Howard and Lee out of the lineup. He finished with 12 points. Rashard Lewis, Orlando's other starting forward and the team's second-leading scorer, scored 29 points after averaging 17.2 in the first five games of the series.
With the Sixers out of the way and no Game 7 to play tomorrow, was Lewis planning on heading to the Kentucky Derby? He is a part-owner of a Derby entry, Join the Dance.
"Nah, I'll be watching it on TV," he said with a smile. "Got to practice."
Contact staff writer Kevin Tatum at 215 854-2583 or ktatum@phillynews.com.
