How Did Pacers Succumb to Magic in Fourth Quarter?

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Lance Roberson | Last updated Nov 13, 2024 9:25 PM ET

The Indiana Pacers and Orlando Magic played their third game against each other on Wednesday. It's safe to say if they meet in the 2025 playoffs, it would likely go seven games. Regarding the regular-season series, Orlando took a 2-1 lead over Indiana by winning 94-90.

Without All-Star forward Paolo Banchero, who has missed the previous eight games, Orlando continued to display its second-ranked defensive rating against an offensively inconsistent Indiana squad. The Magic's gritty, shovel-and-pail approach juxtaposed the Pacers' more agile approach to basketball.

Ultimately, the Pacers shot 38 percent on field goals as part of the Magic's physical defense. Although they made it close after a rough start to the fourth quarter, it was too little too late.

The Magic began the fourth quarter on a 10-0 run, forcing Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle to put all his starters in the game before they rested in his typical early fourth-quarter rotation. Orlando took a double-digit lead after igniting a 22-6 run in the fourth quarter.

Despite another rough shooting night from Tyrese Haliburton, Pascal Siakam stepped up for his All-Star teammate by scoring 25 points. Surging Bennedict, Mathurin added 23 points and 12 rebounds, but it wasn't enough.

Conversely, without a shoulder to lean on regarding offensive duties, Magic's second star, Franz Wagner, supplemented the void left by Banchero's absence. Wagner scored 29 points.

The Pacers fall to 5-6; they host the Miami Heat on Friday as part of the Emirates NBA Cup.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: