Pacers and Magic Set for Central Florida Clash
The Indiana Pacers take on the Orlando Magic at Amway Center on Sunday evening.

The Pacers (35-29) appear to have a solid chance of eventually playing beyond the final day of the regular season, but they'll enter Sunday's contest with an untimely three losses in the last four games. Their most recent stumble was a very narrow one, as they fell to the Minnesota Timberwolves by a 113-111 score on Thursday night. Pascal Siakam led the Pacers with 24 points, adding four rebounds and two assists. Tyrese Haliburton generated a 23-point, 13-assist double-double that included three rebounds and one steal. Jalen Smith delivered 14 points, four assists, two rebounds and one block. Myles Turner registered 12 points, seven rebounds, one assist and four blocks.

The Pacers will be without Doug McDermott (calf) and Bennedict Mathurin (shoulder) for Sunday's game.

The Magic (37-27) are in even better shape in the Eastern Conference playoff race, but they'll come into Sunday's game having just seen a five-game winning streak snapped with a lackluster 98-74 loss to the New York Knicks on Friday night. Paolo Banchero led the Magic with 23 points, adding nine rebounds, two assists, four blocks and two steals. Franz Wagner furnished 13 points, four boards and one steal. Jonathan Isaac delivered 11 points, six rebounds, two blocks and one steal.

The Magic will remain without Jalen Suggs (thigh) and Markelle Fultz (knee) for Sunday's contest.

Sunday's game marks the third and final meeting between the teams this season. The Magic holds a 2-0 series lead.
Posted on: 3/9/2024 8:48 PM