Prepare for 1-3
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Game Preview
After dropping their home opener to Philadelphia in overtime on Sunday afternoon, the Pacers (1-2) will try to bounce back quickly on Monday night in Orlando as they take on the Magic (2-1) to complete their first back-to-back set of the season.
The Pacers had several chances to pull out a win against the Sixers, but came up a couple plays short. The difference ultimately came down to two key areas: turnovers and rebounding. Indiana and Philadelphia both had 20 turnovers, but the Sixers took better advantage, outscoring the Blue & Gold 31-19 in points off turnovers. The Sixers also dominated the offensive glass, pulling down 20 offensive rebounds to Indiana's seven and outscoring the Pacers 25-11 in second-chance points.
"In all three games, rebounding has reared its ugly head and turnovers have been an issue," Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle said after Sunday's loss. "That’s possession of the ball. It’s certainly a situation that we can play better in and we’re going to need to."
The Magic are off to a 2-1 start to the season, opening the year with wins at Miami and at home against Brooklyn before suffering their first loss in Memphis on Saturday.
Fourth-year forward Franz Wagner has scored 23 or more points in all three games so far this season, including a 29-point outing in the win over the Nets.
All-Star forward Paolo Banchero had a monster opener with 33 points and 11 rebounds against the Heat, but has struggled from the field the last two games, going 8-for-25. He remains a factor even if his shot is not falling with his ability to get to the free throw line, as Banchero has already shot 30 free throws this season.
Monday's game will be an interesting matchup of contrasting styles. The Pacers had a historically great offense last season, leading the league in scoring and assists. The Magic, meanwhile, boasted one of the NBA's best defenses, ranking third in the league in defensive rating (allowing just 110.8 points per 100 possessions). Projected Starters
Pacers: G - Tyrese Haliburton, G - Andrew Nembhard, F - Aaron Nesmith, F - Pascal Siakam, C - Myles Turner
Magic: G - Jalen Suggs, G - Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, F - Franz Wagner, F - Paolo Banchero, C - Wendell Carter Jr. Injury Report
Pacers: James Wiseman - out (left Achilles tendon tear)
Magic: Tristan da Silva - questionable (illness), Jonathan Isaac - questionable (left hip contusion) Last Meeting
March 10, 2024: The Pacers closed out the season series with the Magic with a 111-97 victory in Orlando. Indiana trailed by 15 in the second quarter but outscored the hosts 39-21 in the third quarter to seize control of the contest.
Tyrese Haliburton tallied 20 points, seven rebounds, and eight assists in the victory. Pascal Siakam also scored 20 points in the win, while T.J. McConnell and Obi Toppin chipped in 17 points apiece off the bench.
Paolo Banchero led Orlando with 19 points. Cole Anthony scored 16 off the bench, while Wendell Carter Jr. recorded a double-double with 13 points and 15 rebounds. Noteworthy
Broadcast Information (TV and Radio Listings >>)
FanDuel Sports Network - Chris Denari (play-by-play), Quinn Buckner (analyst), Jeremiah Johnson (sideline reporter/host)
Radio: 93.5/107.5 The Fan - Mark Boyle (play-by-play), Eddie Gill (analyst), Pat Boylan (sideline reporter/host) Tickets
The Pacers will welcome Jayson Tatum and the defending NBA champion Boston Celtics at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Wednesday, Oct. 30 at 7:00 PM ET. Find Tickets >>
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Game Preview
After dropping their home opener to Philadelphia in overtime on Sunday afternoon, the Pacers (1-2) will try to bounce back quickly on Monday night in Orlando as they take on the Magic (2-1) to complete their first back-to-back set of the season.
The Pacers had several chances to pull out a win against the Sixers, but came up a couple plays short. The difference ultimately came down to two key areas: turnovers and rebounding. Indiana and Philadelphia both had 20 turnovers, but the Sixers took better advantage, outscoring the Blue & Gold 31-19 in points off turnovers. The Sixers also dominated the offensive glass, pulling down 20 offensive rebounds to Indiana's seven and outscoring the Pacers 25-11 in second-chance points.
"In all three games, rebounding has reared its ugly head and turnovers have been an issue," Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle said after Sunday's loss. "That’s possession of the ball. It’s certainly a situation that we can play better in and we’re going to need to."
The Magic are off to a 2-1 start to the season, opening the year with wins at Miami and at home against Brooklyn before suffering their first loss in Memphis on Saturday.
Fourth-year forward Franz Wagner has scored 23 or more points in all three games so far this season, including a 29-point outing in the win over the Nets.
All-Star forward Paolo Banchero had a monster opener with 33 points and 11 rebounds against the Heat, but has struggled from the field the last two games, going 8-for-25. He remains a factor even if his shot is not falling with his ability to get to the free throw line, as Banchero has already shot 30 free throws this season.
Monday's game will be an interesting matchup of contrasting styles. The Pacers had a historically great offense last season, leading the league in scoring and assists. The Magic, meanwhile, boasted one of the NBA's best defenses, ranking third in the league in defensive rating (allowing just 110.8 points per 100 possessions). Projected Starters
Pacers: G - Tyrese Haliburton, G - Andrew Nembhard, F - Aaron Nesmith, F - Pascal Siakam, C - Myles Turner
Magic: G - Jalen Suggs, G - Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, F - Franz Wagner, F - Paolo Banchero, C - Wendell Carter Jr. Injury Report
Pacers: James Wiseman - out (left Achilles tendon tear)
Magic: Tristan da Silva - questionable (illness), Jonathan Isaac - questionable (left hip contusion) Last Meeting
March 10, 2024: The Pacers closed out the season series with the Magic with a 111-97 victory in Orlando. Indiana trailed by 15 in the second quarter but outscored the hosts 39-21 in the third quarter to seize control of the contest.
Tyrese Haliburton tallied 20 points, seven rebounds, and eight assists in the victory. Pascal Siakam also scored 20 points in the win, while T.J. McConnell and Obi Toppin chipped in 17 points apiece off the bench.
Paolo Banchero led Orlando with 19 points. Cole Anthony scored 16 off the bench, while Wendell Carter Jr. recorded a double-double with 13 points and 15 rebounds. Noteworthy
- The Pacers have won their last two games in Orlando and six of their last eight road contests with the Magic.
- The Pacers and Magic will meet four times in the regular season, including three games in the first month of the season. The Magic visit Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Nov. 6 before the Blue & Gold return to Orlando on Nov. 13. The teams will meet once more in Indiana on April 11.
- Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard and Magic guard Jalen Suggs were teammates on the 2020-21 Gonzaga team that reached the national championship game.
- Magic center Goga Bitadze was drafted by the Pacers with the 18th overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft and played for Indiana from 2019-23.
- This is Indiana's first back-to-back of the season. The Pacers were 3-10 last season when playing on the second night of a back-to-back.
Broadcast Information (TV and Radio Listings >>)
FanDuel Sports Network - Chris Denari (play-by-play), Quinn Buckner (analyst), Jeremiah Johnson (sideline reporter/host)
Radio: 93.5/107.5 The Fan - Mark Boyle (play-by-play), Eddie Gill (analyst), Pat Boylan (sideline reporter/host) Tickets
The Pacers will welcome Jayson Tatum and the defending NBA champion Boston Celtics at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Wednesday, Oct. 30 at 7:00 PM ET. Find Tickets >>
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