Magic Takeaways: Orlando Reserves Dominate Pacers to Secure .500 Finish

INDIANAPOLIS – In their penultimate game before the Play-In Tournament, the Orlando Magic cruised to a 129-114 victory over the Indiana Pacers on Friday night in Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

The win, the Magic's 41st this year, secured at least a .500 finish to the regular season for a second consecutive year. Orlando last finished above .500 in back-to-back seasons in 2011 and 2012.

Neither the Magic nor Pacers played their usual starters, clearing the way for Orlando's reserves to display the offensive fireworks. Orlando's 129 points were their third-most in a game this season, shooting 57.6 percent from the field and 13-of-32 from three.

Here's more of what stood out from the Magic's stress-free road victory in Indianapolis.

Magic, Pacers rest multiple regulars

Friday's contest was rather inconsequential for either team.

Orlando's win over the Boston Celtics on Wednesday clinched the Magic the No. 7 seed in the Play-In Tournament and a second consecutive Southeast Division title.

Set to host the Atlanta Hawks in Tuesday's No. 7-8 Play-In Tournament game, Orlando sat starters Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Wendell Carter Jr., while Cory Joseph played limited minutes before also sitting out the rest of the contest.

And, by defeating a resting top-seeded Cleveland team Thursday night, the Pacers secured a top-4 finish and homecourt advantage in the first round of the playoffs.

Entering Friday, Indiana could've opted to attempt and steal the No. 3 seed from the New York Knicks. But, on the second night of a back-to-back, Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said giving the likes of Tyrese Haliburton, Andrew Nembhard, Aaron Nesmith, Pascal Siakam and Myles Turner the night off was the "right thing to do." Ben Sheppard, who was doubtful because of a left great toe strain, also sat out for Indiana.

In turn, numerous reserves saw increases to their share of minutes – an opportunity the Magic took full advantage of. All 10 available players scored for Orlando in the contest, with eight in double figures.

Offense explodes in second quarter to gain separation

A fast-paced, flowing first quarter saw the Magic and Pacers play to a 29-all tie after 12 minutes. The next 12 minutes, however, would not be as balanced.

Orlando scored 43 points in the frame before halftime, tying a franchise record for most points scored in a second quarter (43 on Feb. 14, 2023). It also stands alone as the Magic's season-high for points in any quarter this year.

The Magic shot 18-25 from the field (6-9 from 3PT) in the quarter. Trevelin Queen scored 13 points in the quarter, and the second-year duo of Jett Howard (11) and Anthony Black (10) each logged double-digit points during the hot-shooting frame.

Up Next

The Magic's regular season concludes against the Atlanta Hawks with a 1 p.m. Sunday tipoff from State Farm Arena in Atlanta.