Basketball

Big third quarter sets up Pacers' rally past Magic

March 11, 2024 12:20 pm

[Source: Reuters]

Tyrese Haliburton and Pascal Siakam scored 20 points apiece as the visiting Indiana Pacers took control in the second half to beat the Orlando Magic 111-97.

T.J. McConnell and Obi Toppin added 17 points each for Indiana, which trailed by 15 early in the second quarter. Aaron Nesmith scored 16 points and Myles Turner finished with 12 points, eight rebounds and six blocked shots.

Paolo Banchero led Orlando with 19 points. Cole Anthony scored 16 points, Franz Wagner 13, Wendell Carter Jr.13 points and 15 rebounds, and Joe Ingles added 11 points.

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The Pacers completed a 30-point swing and moved ahead 87-71 after outscoring Orlando 39-21 on 68.2 percent shooting in the third quarter.

After Orlando pulled within 10 early in the fourth quarter, Indiana scored six straight points to lead 99-83 with 7:46 left.

Carter’s dunk with 2:02 left cut the deficit to 104-97, before the Pacers held on. Orlando has lost two straight following a five-game winning streak.

The Magic opened the game on a 12-2 run and led 24-18 at the end of the first quarter.

Ingles hit a 3-pointer to extend Orlando’s lead to 35-20 with 9:23 left in the second quarter before Indiana battled back and cut the deficit to 50-47 at the half.

Siakam scored 13 points in the half to lead the Pacers, while Wagner had 11 for the Magic. Indiana shot 1 of 11 from 3-point range for the half.

Indiana carried the momentum into the second half and took its first lead of the game at 54-53 on Haliburton’s layup with 10:44 left in the third quarter.

Indiana held Orlando to 37.5 percent shooting for the game, including 9 of 36 from 3-point range.

Orlando played without Jalen Suggs (right thigh contusion) and Markelle Fultz (left knee strain). Indiana forward Jalen Smith was scratched prior to the game due to illness.