The Indiana Pacers rallied to defeat the Orlando Magic 111-97 during Sunday’s NBA action, closing the gap to just one game in the Eastern Conference standings.
Tyrese Haliburton and Pascal Siakam led the charge for Indiana, each contributing 20 points to the victory. Despite falling behind early, the Pacers found their rhythm thanks to the energy and scoring provided by T.J. McConnell and Obi Toppin off the bench, who scored 17 points apiece.
“T.J. McConnell gave us a great left when he came into the game because we were struggling to score,” Pacers coach Rick Carlisle noted, highlighting McConnell’s impact. “He got to the rim a few times and really boosted our energy from there.”
The Pacers, known for their high-scoring ability, initially struggled with only 18 points in the first quarter. However, they managed to turn the game around by focusing on their strengths in transition, as Toppin explained: “We understand that we’re one of the best teams in transition, and the only way we can get transition buckets is getting stops. I felt we locked into getting those stops which allowed us to get a lot more transition points.”
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A crucial 3-pointer by Aaron Nesmith in the second half put Indiana ahead for good, leading to a comfortable 15-point lead by the end of the third quarter. Cole Anthony of the Magic acknowledged their lack of urgency in transition defense, particularly against Toppin’s fast-break opportunities.
The Magic, facing their first back-to-back losses since late January, struggled offensively, shooting only 37.5% from the field. This performance contrasted sharply with their high-scoring victories over Indiana earlier in the season.
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Carlisle emphasized the Pacers’ focus on running and determination as key factors in reversing their fortunes against the Magic: “We’re a very good running team, and that’s well documented. What we needed tonight was a much higher level of determination than we had in the first two games against these guys.”
The game also marked the Pacers’ first outing since confirming Bennedict Mathurin will miss the remainder of the season due to shoulder surgery. Meanwhile, the Magic were without Jalen Suggs and Markelle Fultz, further challenging their lineup.
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With both teams looking ahead to their next matchups, the Pacers aim to continue their momentum against Oklahoma City, while the Magic hope to rebound at home against Brooklyn.
