Indiana Pacers Starters Impress, But Frank Vogel and the Orlando Magic Get the Win
The Indiana Pacers starters played well, but the Orlando Magic and Frank Vogel got the last laugh in their preseason win.
For the millionth time, it is preseason, but Frank Vogel has to feel the tiniest bit smug as the Orlando Magic took care of the Indiana Pacers in Friday’s preseason game.
But besides for the final score — 114-106 — there were plenty of positives for the Pacers in the fourth of six mostly meaningless preseason contests.
After being excited to play their first game together, the Pacers’ starting unit gave us a glimpse of their potential.
Indiana’s starters outplayed their Magic counterpart and the Pacers starting five were all in the positive as far as +/- is concerned. They shot 47.5% from the field and 40% beyond the arc while outscoring the Magic 78-58. Indiana won the turnover battle 17-8 over Orlando with Paul George and Thaddeus Young nabbing four steals each.
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Myles Turner led the Pacers with 17 points on 7 of 15 shooting, including a 3-pointer. Turner also had 6 rebounds and 3 blocks on the night. George and Jeff Teague both scored 16 points followed by Young with 15 and Monta Ellis with 14 to round out the starters. All five played over 30 minutes, the most any had played in the preseason.
The Pacers kept a fast pace and playing both sides of the ball exceptionally well. McMillan’s pleas to keep the ball moving didn’t fall on deaf ears as Indiana saw all of its starters rack up points and assists.
Despite the starters’ efforts, Orlando’s bench ran over Indiana’s. The Magic reserves outscored Indiana 56-28 and while making nearly 60% of their shots compared to the Pacers 44.4%. After seeing plenty of strong performances in the preseason by Glenn Robinson III and Rodney Stuckey, the bottom dropped out on Friday.
The Pacers hit the road for their final preseason game, taking on the Milwaukee Bucks on October 19th.