Indiana Pacers use huge third quarter to topple Orlando Magic on the road
The Indiana Pacers were in Orlando on Sunday night to take on the Magic for the third and final time of the 2023-24 season. The Magic won the first two meetings by a combined 19 points, so the Pacers were going to need to be at their best to get a road win.
Orlando is one of the hottest teams in the NBA — they entered the night winners of eight of their last 10 games. Taking them down has proven to be difficult since the All-Star break, and Indiana has been wobbly in the same span,but the hosts were banged up. It was going to be a tough one for the blue and gold.
The game began with focused play from both teams. Baskets were hard to come by for the first minutes, with the Magic's lead at just 5-2 after a few minutes. Their size was threatening, and it was tough for either squad to generate good looks.
Indiana was attempting many jumpers early in the game, and they started 1/7 from the field. At the time, they trailed 9-2 and were falling behind quickly to a strong Magic defense. They needed a better offensive approach.
Orlando was ahead 12-2 after just under six minutes of play when Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle took a timeout. His team was 1/8 from the field with two turnovers, and they had conceded four offensive rebounds already. It was another slow start for the team. They needed to regroup.
During the stoppage, Carlisle made substitutions and brought in T.J. McConnell and Obi Toppin. He made earlier changes than normal — his team needed a new look.
The lineup change led to two quick buckets, and the Pacers were close on the scoreboard again. They had more energy, but were playing from behind once again. They needed to keep up their improved play to avoid a disastrous first quarter.
After one period, the Magic were ahead 24-18. The style and score certainly favored Orlando, but the Pacers did well to cut into the lead after a sluggish start. McConnell led the blue and gold with eight points at the time.
The second frame started off with great play from Orlando, who went on a 6-0 run in 95 seconds to extend their lead to 12. The Pacers were having a rough time offensively and couldn't keep up.
Indiana was getting their butt kicked on the glass for much of the first 15 minutes. Orlando grabbed their seventh offensive rebound early in the second quarter, and Indiana only had nine rebounds in total at the time. The Magic's lead was up to 15.
The Pacers surged after that moment, going on a 9-0 run and holding Orlando scoreless for over three minutes of play. They needed that run to feel better after their offensive process. Finally, players besides McConnell were contributing and making plays.
That run continued as the blue and gold cut the lead down to four with 2:46 to go in the first half. They were playing well on the defensive end and finding just enough ways to score through the Magic's tight defense. Pascal Siakam found room for a few baskets for Indiana.
At halftime, the Orlando lead was down to three at 50-47. The Pacers made some sound defensive adjustments in the first half and improved on offense after a rough start. Siakam had 13 points at the time while McConnell had 10.
The second half started off with good play from the Pacers, who hit a few outside shots and attacked the paint. They looked better than they did to start the game, which was important for the starters as a unit. After three minutes of play in the third quarter, Indiana led 60-55.
Aaron Nesmith drilled a few important jumpers for the Pacers, and his energy was contagious. The blue and gold looked faster early in the third quarter, and they were able to get their lead to eight in the early portions of the frame. Halfway through the period, the Pacers were up 67-59.
Indiana's edge remained near that mark for the next few minutes. They were scoring with much more consistency than they were earlier in the game, which made it tough for the Magic to catch up during the third frame. It was 72-65 with 3:44 left in the quarter.
The Pacers were dealing with foul trouble late in the third, so they turned to a frontcourt with both Siakam and Obi Toppin — they didn't have a center on the floor. That group was able to survive for its first few possessions as the blue and gold extended their lead to 11. They were clicking.
After the third period, Indiana was ahead 86-71. They outscored the Magic 39-21 in the period to race ahead after a low-scoring first half. It was an impressive stretch, and star guard Tyrese Haliburton was now the Pacers leader with 18 points.
The start of the fourth quarter was going to be important. Both teams at one point held a 15-point lead during this game, so getting momentum down the stretch would be vital.
Orlando was on fire to open the final frame, but Indiana did well to match their early baskets. Still, the Magic were able to cut the lead down to 10 after the first three minutes of fourth quarter play. They upped their defensive level.
But Indiana responded. They had a 6-0 run that spanned just 43 seconds as they ballooned their lead to 16. Their bench was playing well as they surged ahead. It was an important game for the blue and gold, and they were playing like it.
Their lead remained near 10 for the next few minutes, though the Magic were doing well to cut into the lead. It was 104-93 in favor of the visitors with 3:17 to go. The blue and gold were a few successful possessions away from a big win.
The Magic went on a run and cut the lead down to seven with under two minutes to go at 104-97. The Pacers needed a basket, and they needed it badly.
They got it via free throws from Siakam and Haliburton. Indiana was up 10 with under 90 seconds to go. The result was a formality at that point.
The Pacers held on to win 111-97. They improved to 36-29 with the victory, and they made up ground in the race for playoff positioning in the Eastern Conference.
Siakam finished with 20 points. Haliburton had 20 points and eight assists. McConnell and Toppin each added 17 points.
Indiana next plays on Tuesday when they battle the Thunder in Oklahoma City.
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