Indiana Pacers move into top-four of Eastern Conference with dominant win over Orlando Magic

INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana Pacers improved to 10-6 after crushing the Orlando Magic 123-102 on Monday night time. The Pacers at the moment are within the top-four of the Jap Convention standings and have gained 5 straight video games.

It was the Pacers most full win of the season. The workforce did not shoot the ball notably effectively, however their protection was wonderful, and a number of guys stepped up after a sluggish begin.

The Pacers trailed 35-34 in the course of the second quarter earlier than Oshae Brissett hit a layup to offer them the lead. They by no means regarded again. They had been up by ten earlier than the quarter ended and up by almost 20 on the finish of the third quarter. As soon as Indiana found out their plan of assault, they dominated the remainder of the way in which.

“Simply attacking downhill, getting downhill with the bigs on me,” level guard Tyrese Haliburton stated of what the Pacers did effectively. He famous that they had been extra ready for the Magic’s protection tonight, which switches typically. “T.J. [McConnell] and the second group did an incredible job right now entering into the paint, ending.”

The blue and gold put strain on the rim all night time. They hit 30 two-point pictures and had 58 factors within the paint in opposition to a tall and lanky Magic workforce. The dimensions did not hassle the Pacers the identical approach it did on Saturday. They pushed proper by way of it to take management of the sport.

Indiana was led by unbelievable level guard play all night time. Haliburton, contemporary off of a participant of the week trophy, had 18 factors and 14 assists, together with 9 assists within the first half. He did not even play within the fourth quarter because the Pacers had been rolling at that time.

McConnell, Haliburton’s backup, was equally spectacular and had his greatest sport of the season. The reserve ground normal completed with 19 factors and ten assists, and he tied his profession excessive with a trio of made three-point pictures. McConnell was wonderful, and his fashion being so just like Haliburton’s makes lineups run seamlessly.

“He did his factor, he was capturing the ball with confidence,” reserve heart Isaiah Jackson stated of McConnell. “He was doing every thing, he was in every single place on the defensive finish… I like when he performs like that, I like taking part in with him.”

The Pacers had been led in scoring by rookie guard Bennedict Mathurin, who completed with a quiet 22 factors — he was extraordinarily environment friendly. Oshae Brissett (18 factors) and Isaiah Jackson (ten factors, eight rebounds) additionally had stable performances as Indiana’s bench unit performed very effectively on this sport.

No person thought that the blue and gold could be this good, however right here they’re. By 16 video games, they’re 4 video games over .500 and have moved into the top-four of the Jap Convention standings. Indiana is taking part in related, spirited basketball, they usually have been for a lot of November, a month that they’ve a 7-1 file in. Tonight, that continued because the workforce completed with 32 assists on their 43 made pictures. The ball was flying round, and everyone acquired concerned.

“We have simply acquired good people who find themselves nice teammates and need the subsequent man to succeed,” McConnell stated of the workforce. “And we do this at a excessive degree. Make the additional go and canopy for one another on protection.”

The Pacers schedule is about to get a lot harder. They’ve two residence video games to shut out this week in opposition to playoff groups from final season — Minnesota and Brooklyn — after which they head out on a protracted, grueling highway journey. The workforce appears to be like terrific proper now, however a lot can be discovered about their true potential degree within the coming weeks.

Tonight, although, they regarded nice. Maybe higher than they’ve all season. And they’ll look to proceed that on Wednesday when the Timberwolves come to city for the one time this season.

• Oshae Brissett places collectively his greatest sport of the season to assist the Indiana Pacers beat the Toronto Raptors: ‘He is doing it at a excessive degree’. CLICK HERE.
• Aaron Nesmith reveals off his development with profession night time vs Orlando Magic. CLICK HERE.
• Youthful Indiana Pacers gamers are benefitting from T.J. McConnell’s management. CLICK HERE.
• Report: Los Angeles Clippers focused on Indiana Pacers heart Myles Turner. CLICK HERE.
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