He left at the right time.

After a competitive first quarter, the Sixers' game deteriorated: They lost by 120-106, giving up 16 three-pointers and trailing by as many as 31 points.

Orlando had 70 points at the half and 100 after three quarters.

"Their threes destroyed us," said Sixers coach Eddie Jordan. "I don't think they hit rim."

"Obviously when you're shooting, whatever, 98 percent from the three-point line, it makes you look pretty damn good out there," said Sixers forward Jason Kapono, who scored 13 points off the bench and was only slightly exaggerating the Magic's percentage from beyond the arc.

The Sixers open their home schedule tomorrow night against the Milwaukee Bucks.

Six players scored in double figures for the Magic, whose starters spent much of the second half stretching their legs on the bench. Star center Dwight Howard finished 9 of 11 from the floor with 21 points and 15 rebounds.

Sixers reserve forward Marreese Speights scored a career-high 26 points, hitting 10 of 11 shots.

"He looked good scoring the ball," Jordan said of Speights. "We want him to get better defensively."

Only one Sixers starter - point guard Lou Williams with 18 points - scored in double figures. Last season's leading scorer, swingman Andre Iguodala, did not score until 1 minute, 8 seconds were left in the first half. He finished with eight points on 3-for-11 shooting.

"I think Andre is trying to run the offense and look out for his teammates," Jordan said.

Power forward Elton Brand scored eight points on 2-for-7 shooting.

"It's a tough way to start the season, especially being down so big," Brand said.

In the locker room afterward, Jordan said he told his team that a game like this was "part of the formula of being a good team."

Explained Jordan: "Taking the hit and coming back."

Kapono said the players were saying to one another, "Thank God it's the first game."

For one quarter, the Sixers looked as if they belonged on the Magic's court, trailing by only 29-27 after 12 minutes.

But then the Magic's newest guard, Jason Williams, dug the Sixers a hole and their newest swingman, Vince Carter, pushed them inside.

The second of back-to-back three pointers by Williams gave the Magic a 41-32 lead just minutes into the second quarter. A few minutes later, a three-pointer by Carter - moments after his lefthanded, fastbreak tip-in - gave Orlando a 59-42 lead.

"Obviously, it's disappointing and frustrating," Kapono said. "It [stinks] to lose."

Contact staff writer Kate Fagan at 856-779-3844 or kfagan@phillynews.com.