Veteran guard Monta Ellis didn’t join the Indiana Pacers as a free agent this summer to build up his career scoring average. Unfortunately, those games haven’t always produced a win.
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On average, the Orlando Magic make 22.6 assists per game and the Indiana Pacers make 19.8.
Paul George had 20 points and Monta Ellis scored nine of his 19 in the fourth quarter, helping the Pacers beat the Magic for the sixth straight time. “I’ve hit a lot of game-winning shots in my career”. He also seemingly lost the locker room by the end of his tenure. “Hill made all three of his free-throw attempts to balloon the Pacers” lead to 89-78 with 2:23 remaining. Ellis, though, secured the victory by making six consecutive free throws. During that stretch, IN made even the Magic’s only make – center Nikola Vučević draining a baseline shot but having to loft it over Mahinmi’s outstretched hand – a hard one.
“But on Indiana”s ensuing possession Victor Oladipo was called for a questionable foul against George Hill in 3-point territory.
The Magic (19-17) continued to struggle against the Pacers (20-15). On the defensive end, the Magic held opponents to 96.6 points in December, the fourth-stingiest mark in the National Basketball Association. Nik Vucevic added 17 points and four rebounds. The center leads the team with 16.8 points per game and 8.3 rebounds, but he’s only produced 11.3 and 4.3 over the past three games. They have scored 91 points or fewer in each of their past four games.
In addition, starting shooting guard Evan Fournier might not play because of a toe injury, Skiles said.
“We’ve just got to go out and get a win right now”, Magic forward Tobias Harris said, “but that’s easier said than done”. Their offense showed some good signs with strong ball movement, but were unable to get much momentum going due to shots just not falling.
Turning to their bench, things began to get better for the Magic on the defensive end.
The Pacers grabbed the lead early in the third quarter and never lost it, although the Magic pulled to within two points midway in the fourth. Defensively, the Pacers yield 98.7 points against the opposing teams. Orlando was balanced early with Vucevic, Fournier, forward Jason Smith and guard Shabazz Napier each scoring six points.
IN opened the game with an 11-2 lead while Orlando missed 8 of its first 9 shots, a testament to defense. Indiana’s shooting slipped to 40.5 percent, down nine points from the first quarter, as the Magic built a 6-point lead. The guard also became the first player to post three straight games with at least 26 points, 12 assists and five rebounds since Dwyane Wade in November 2006. PG C.J. Watson, who was expected to be Payton’s backup this season, remains sidelined with a calf injury….
The Orlando Magic look for consistency after splitting their last 10 games.
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It’s unknown if Vogel will have Hill (food poisoning) and Miles (shoulder) available Wednesday. The Pacers, meanwhile, are feeling some disappointment after their close 103-100 loss against the Heat on Monday. Paul George had 32 points and seven rebounds to lead the Pacers. The Orlando Magic have won seven of their last 10 home games.
