March 10, 2024. Magic Pacers game 03.10.24. Magic of 1.5 (O/U 227.5). 6P. 35-29. 100. Bally Sports Florida, Bally Sports Indiana. 37-27. 38
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Season series: Magic 128, Pacers 116 in Indianapolis on November 19; Magic 117, Pacers 110 in Indianapolis on December 23; Tonight in Orlando
|
Pace |
Disabled. Rtg. |
Def. Rtg. |
eFG% |
O.Reb.% |
HAS% |
FTR |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Indiana |
102.5 |
120.2 |
118.9 |
57.9 |
28.6 |
13.0 |
22.6 |
|
Orlando |
97.6 |
112.9 |
111.3 |
54.1 |
30.3 |
15.2 |
29.5 |
Our record: 41-23/33-31
The Orlando Magic must be steaming hot and simmering after their loss against the New York Knicks on Friday. It wasn’t so much a loss to a team that was behind in the standings. It’s the way they were mishandled early on and the fact that they scored the fewest points in an NBA game since December 2020.
Orlando should want to redeem itself for this game against one of the worst defensive teams in the league.
The Magic should hope they have also learned their lesson after slow starts in the last three road games. Orlando is a different team at the Kia Center, however. The Magic have been difficult to beat and their offense is supercharged there.
The key will be whether the Orlando Magic can repeat their defensive performance against the Indiana Pacers in their two games in November and December. Orlando was one of the few teams in the league that managed to slow down Indiana. And the Magic now have the personnel and momentum to defend at a higher level.
The question is about their reaction after such a bad defeat on Friday. And if they can still contain Tyrese Haliburton if Jalen Suggs misses his second straight game (it’s QUESTIONAL to play).
Magic Pacers Prediction 03.10.24. 119. 38. Prediction. 113. 100
Magic defense vs. Pacers offense
The story every time the Orlando Magic and Indiana Pacers face off is the battle between one of the best offensive teams in the league (Indiana is second in the league in offensive rating) and the best teams defenses in the league (Orlando is fourth in the standings). league in defensive ranking).
Orlando has also done a number on Indiana in two previous meetings. The Magic held the Pacers to 107.4 points per 100 possessions in their November game and 114.6 points per 100 possessions in December.
Of course, both of these games took place before the Pascal Siakam trade. And while his presence hasn’t completely changed the Pacers’ defense, he adds a new element to the offense that the Magic haven’t seen.
The good news might be that Orlando is playing very solid defense right now. The Magic have a defensive rating of 110.6 in the last 15 games. Even the game against the New York Knicks on Friday featured solid defense, although it was worse than the team’s overall average for the season.
The story of this game will be whether Orlando can slow down Indiana for a third time.
Mathur-out
The big news for the Indiana Pacers is this second-year star forward Bennedict Mathurin absent for the season after tearing a labrum in his right shoulder.
This is a big loss for the Pacers considering he was averaging 14.5 points per game and had one of the highest-scoring benches in the league. Indiana is going to have to find a way to fill its minutes. It’s this type of injury that makes trading Buddy Hield a little more difficult.
Mathurin struggled in both meetings with the Orlando Magic this season. And that was a big part of Orlando’s ability to win.
The Pacers still have shooters who can step up. Ben Sheppard will occupy a large part of these minutes. But the Pacers bench is thinning without Mathurin in the lineup.
Home/Road difference
The Orlando Magic had a successful road trip, going 2-1. But the loss to the New York Knicks stings. They missed a good opportunity to get a big win on the road. It still stings with the Magic holding a 16-19 road record.
Orlando is very different at home. The team is 21-8 at the Kia Center, securing a winning home record. And there are still many matches left on the home floor.
The difference between the home team and the road ahead is still quite difficult. The Magic have an offensive rating of 116.4 in home games, compared to a 110.0 offensive rating on the road. That’s a big difference, especially considering the team has a defensive rating of 109.2 at home.
Following. Magical offensive actions 03.10.24. Orlando Magic needs to get into some offensive action early. dark
Teams always play better at home. It is therefore not surprising to see such a break. Not entirely at least. But the Magic are a much better team at home. And that should erase the taste of a bad loss Friday with 10 of the next 11 games at the Kia Center and 18 total games remaining.
