Orlando Came Out With Intense Defense to Earn a Win

Orlando, FL— Last night’s dominating performance in the Magic vs Pacers game continued to show how the defensive identity and backbone of this Orlando Magic team can carry this team far both in the regular and postseason. 

Coming into this highly-anticipated Eastern Conference matchup on the second night of a back-to-back, the Magic could’ve easily allowed this Pacers team to walk all over them, but this team was resilient and never wavered and came out with a 94-90 victory.

Key Players Out for Both Teams

Indiana had a lengthy injury report that sidelined multiple key and top role players such as Isaiah Jackson (torn right Achilles), James Wiseman (torn left Achilles), Andrew Nembhard (left knee inflammation), Aaron Nesmith (left ankle sprain), and Obi Toppin (left ankle sprain) who came into the contest listed as questionable ended up suiting up. For Orlando, Paolo Banchero (right oblique) would miss his eighth straight game and Wendell Carter Jr. (plantar fascia strain) missed his sixth consecutive game in a row. 

“It’s pretty obvious it’s a next man up deal,” Pacers Head Coach Rick Carlisle on multiple players being sidelined due to injury. “In the absence of top players, top role players gotta figure out the adjustments to make the existing group work the best.”

Stopping Indiana’s Electric Offense

The Pacers came into this matchup not only as one of the highest-scoring teams in the NBA but as one of the most prolific offenses in the game with two nights of rest. Indiana had just scored 132 points on the New York Knicks on Sunday evening and was limited to scoring just 90 on the Magic on Wednesday night. 

“Yeah, it’s unreal. [Indiana] is a high-scoring team,” Jonathan Issac on the team’s defensive performance on the second night of a back-to-back. “To come out here and send that kind of message, you know, it speaks volumes of our coaching staff, of our team, [and] guys taking on the challenge—You know, I almost can’t say enough about the resiliency, the energy, the mindset of these guys, and with that, I feel we can go as far as we want to.” 

Slow Offensive Start by the Magic

The Magic offensively speaking had a relatively slow and lackluster start in the first half of play. Orlando couldn’t get out of their own way by scoring 41 points, shooting a woeful 15 of 41 (36.6%) from the floor, 6 of 21 from deep (28.6%), and also generating more self-inflicted wounds by having 12 turnovers. 

The Pacers led by as much as 12 points at one point, but a 10-0 Magic run midway into the second period of play cut the deficit to just two points. Franz Wagner was the only consistent offensive player for the Magic in the first half keeping this team afloat with 16 points, despite the slow start offensively. Orlando with their defensive prowess would remain within striking distance of Indiana and they would head into the halftime locker room down 45-41. 

Magic Play Stifling Defense that Fuels them to Victory

Orlando continued to play stifling defense limiting Indiana to 45 points in the second half and just 18 in the final period of play. The Magic limited the Pacers’ shot-making ability, holding them to 32 of 84 (38.1%) shooting from the floor, 10 of 30 from behind the arch, and generating 16 turnovers. 

“I’m so proud of them, so proud of this group,” Jamahl Mosley on the team’s defensive performance at the end of a back-to-back. “It wasn’t a pretty one but it’s the way you have to try and get it done in this league and these guys embraced it. Could have easily given in but we talk about how much grit this team has, and you see how connected we are.”

The Magic would record a season-high 10 blocks on the night all while chipping in eight steals. Over this four-game win streak, the Magic have limited their opponents to just 90.3 PPG, 40.4 FG%, 32.6 3FG%, 18.0 forced turnovers, and a 93.0 defensive rating, per Magic PR.

Franz Wagner Continues his Hot Streak

Franz Wagner has now scored six consecutive games of 20+ points and led all Magic scorers last night with 29 points, three rebounds, six assists, and shot 9 of 24 (37.5%) from the floor. Goga Bitadze, Jalen Suggs, Jonathan Issac, Anthony Black, and the list goes on. It was a total collective team effort defensively by Orlando to pull out this Magic vs Pacers victory. 

Pulling Ahead in the Standings

This was a big-time victory for Orlando since Indiana will more than likely be neck-and-neck with the Magic in terms of the standings and possibly a tiebreaker as the Magic now lead the season series 2-1.

“It’s always a big game playing against them,” Anthony Black on the importance of having played the Pacers three times now. “We always come into this game ready to play it…We see those guys a lot and looking forward to the last one at the end of the year.”

Fifth Home Game Coming Up Against 76ers

Orlando has now rattled off four straight wins and has improved to 7-6 on the season after this Pacers vs Magic game. The Magic will now be playing host to the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday evening in search of their fifth win in a row at home after losing five in a row on the road and potentially shooting them into a top three seed in the Eastern Conference.