INDIANAPOLIS — Life with out Paolo Banchero on the courtroom hasn’t been simple to say the least for the Orlando Magic.
Orlando, which is indefinitely with out its first NBA All-Star attributable to a torn proper stomach muscle, misplaced its fifth straight recreation Wednesday night time to the Indiana Pacers regardless of a game-high 28 factors from Franz Wagner.
Led by Bennedict Mathurin’s 20 factors, Indiana noticed six totally different scorers end with 15 or extra in its 118-111 victory at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in opposition to the Magic, who remained winless on their five-game highway journey.
Orlando trailed by 18 factors within the first half, however used an 18-2 run to lastly take the lead within the second quarter. All through the night, Indiana (4-4) All-NBA guard Tyrese Haliburton (17) gave his crew the lead by two possessions with a late 3-pointer.
The Magic (3-6) hope to get again on observe after they return to the Kia Middle on Friday in opposition to the New Orleans Pelicans.
From 5
Mosley caught with the identical beginning 5 on the courtroom as in Monday’s recreation in Oklahoma Metropolis — Jalen Suggs (15 factors), Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Franz Wagner, Tristan da Silva and Goga Bitadze — in opposition to the Pacers.
This was maybe Caldwell-Pope’s greatest recreation to this point in a Magic uniform. He attacked the rim and located success from 3 to have 13 at halftime. That is his most targets since arriving in Orlando, but additionally all he scored on Wednesday.
His triple from the left wing with 1:48 left within the second quarter gave Orlando its first lead of the night time.
The ball moved properly among the many starters and Franz Wagner relied on his trickery to attain across the rim the place nearly all of his factors had been scored. He had 21 within the first half however solely had seven the remainder.
Going through his former crew the place he started his profession, Bitadze emphatically dunk within the first quarter after grabbing an offensive rebound. He had 12 rebounds with 10 factors, however dedicated 4 fouls within the fourth quarter.
Second unit
The primary 5 off the bench included regulars Anthony Black, Gary Harris, Jett Howard, Jonathan Isaac and Moe Wagner.
Black (12 factors) confirmed off his playmaking talents with six assists when he helped provoke the offense at instances. He drove to the rim with confidence, ending via contact early within the fourth.
Harris ended a five-game streak and not using a three-pointer since Orlando’s dwelling opener on Oct. 25 when he sank his first bucket from lengthy vary within the second quarter on Wednesday.
Isaac made his presence felt on each ends with an environment friendly 9 factors (4 of 4 FG), six rebounds and a block.
Nevertheless, the Indiana bench narrowly dominated that of Orlando 42-40.
Rookie Watch
Da Silva made his third straight begin for Orlando and continued to look snug on the sector alongside the primary group.
The No. 18 general draft choose discovered his footing when he may with 5 factors and three assists in 23 minutes.
