Magic-Pacers Preview

By MATT BEARDMORE
Posted Jan 24 2012 1:21AM

The Indiana Pacers are off to their best start in eight seasons, yet they only have four wins against teams currently above .500.

The Orlando Magic should be geared up to present a tougher challenge for the Pacers after what happened to them in their last contest.

Indiana looks to open 6-0 at home for the first time since 2002-03 on Tuesday night when it tries to snap a five-game skid in this series.

Led by 18 points and eight rebounds from center Roy Hibbert, who returned after suffering a broken nose in the first half, six Pacers scored in double figures as they capped a 2-1 road trip with Sunday's 98-96 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers.

"Obviously, a really big win for us, valiant effort by Roy Hibbert after getting a broken nose in the first half and coming back and really carrying us in the second half, after David West carried us in the first half (with all 15 of his points)," coach Frank Vogel said. "But this is what our team is all about. It's not about a super team of superstars, it's about a balanced attack."

The Pacers (11-4) have played only five home games - tied with Cleveland for the NBA's fewest - but they've taken advantage of a relatively soft schedule. They've beaten the Cavaliers, Charlotte, Detroit, New Jersey, Golden State and Toronto twice en route to their quickest start since opening 13-2 in 2003-04.

The road ahead could get a little more difficult for Indiana, which faces a three-game road trip at NBA-leading Chicago, Boston and the Magic after this contest.

Winners of five of six overall, the Pacers will now try to open with six straight home wins for the first time since a 7-0 start nine years ago.

However, Indiana has dropped its last three at home to the Magic by an average of 13.0 points, including a 111-96 loss last Jan. 26, Orlando's most recent visit.

The Pacers also dropped the final meeting of last season's series, 92-74 in Orlando on April 13, as Danny Granger sat out to rest up for the playoffs. The 74 points were the second-fewest for Indiana in 81 all-time matchups with Orlando, but they practically were an offensive explosion compared to what the Magic (11-5) did Monday.

Despite having two days of rest since defeating the Lakers 92-80 on Friday, Orlando set franchise lows for points, field goals (16) and field goal percentage (24.6) in an 87-56 loss at Boston.

"They came out and absolutely dominated us with their energy and defensive intensity," coach Stan Van Gundy said after his team's four-game road winning streak ended.

Dwight Howard was disappointed after getting beaten down the floor by older Celtics players, but the 26-year-old center continued to put up big numbers, recording his fourth consecutive double-double with 18 points and 14 rebounds.

He is eight points shy of passing Nick Anderson to become the Magic's all-time scoring leader with 10,651.

Howard has posted 14 straight double-doubles versus Indiana with the Magic winning 11 of those contests, including all three in 2010-11.

If Hibbert can't contain Howard, the Pacers will need help down low from West and Tyler Hansbrough. That trio is combining for 20.7 points and 35.7 rebounds per game.

Indiana has never lost four in a row at home to Orlando.

Anderson leads Magic in 102-83 win over Pacers

Posted Jan 24 2012 11:37PM

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) Dwight Howard reached a new high with the Orlando Magic.

Howard had 14 points to become the Magic's all-time leading scorer in Orlando's 102-83 victory over the Indiana Pacers on Tuesday night.

"It's a humbling experience," said Howard, who began the game needing just eight points to break Nick Anderson's mark. "It does mean a lot. Not too many players in this league can say that they were their franchise's leading scorer."

Howard, fifth in the league in scoring with 20.1 points per game, picked up his third foul early in the second quarter and sat for most of the first half, before breaking the mark early in the third.

Ryan Anderson had 24 points and eight rebounds to lead the Magic. He shot shot 8 for 14 from the field, including 5 for 7 on 3-pointers.

"I just wanted to come in with a lot of energy tonight," Anderson said. "We just took open shots. Getting key rebounds and being physical and getting fast break points, those are big for us."

Danny Granger and Roy Hibbert scored 16 points each and Hibbert also had 12 rebounds for the Pacers, who returned home after winning two of three on a West Coast trip.

"We had poor offensive execution the whole game," Pacers coach Frank Vogel said. "We know how to play. We've played good basketball all year and we didn't tonight."

Indiana shot just 32 percent in the second half and Orlando shot 49 percent.

JJ Redick added 15 points and Glen Davis had 13 points and five rebounds for the Magic.

"Our effort was great," Magic coach Stan Van Gundy said. "Our energy was good and a lot of guys had a lot to do with us winning."

Howard was two points away from breaking the scoring record before he picked up his second foul and went to the bench midway through the first quarter.

It was a tough stretch for Howard who turned the ball over, missed a shot and then got called for a foul.

The Pacers were in the middle of a 10-0 run when Howard went to the bench. Granger made two 3s and Hibbert - wearing a mast to protect a broken nose suffered Sunday against the Lakers - had the other two baskets.

Howard didn't enter the game again until the start of the second quarter, but was pulled just 24 seconds into the period after he was called for his third foul.

Davis scored seven points in the first half in Howard's place, but the Pacers built a 10-point lead and the Magic had a tough time regaining the advantage. They did it late in the second quarter when the Magic went on a 10-0 run of their own and took the lead on a 3-pointer by Anderson.

"When Dwight went out they raised their energy level," Vogel said.

Darren Collison answered Anderson's 3 with a jumper to tie the score at 41. Earl Clark scored on a dunk, then Indiana's David West tied it again on a jumper.

Clark scored again, then Hibbert tied the game on a putback.

The score was tied at 45 at halftime.

Howard finally became the Magic's all-time leading scorer on a dunk at the 10:05 mark in the third quarter.

The Magic went on to build a 21-point lead in the fourth quarter. They led by 12 at the end of the third after Orlando went on an 8-0 run midway through the period to take a 60-54 lead.

Indiana got back within four, but then the Magic went on a 7-0 run to extend the lead again.

"Our intensity picked up at the defensive end, we did a great job of moving the ball on offense," Howard said. "It was a really good win for us. It shows a lot for us to be able to bounce back from last night."

Orlando lost to Boston on Monday, 87-56.

For the Pacers, things won't get much easier. They go on the road to play Chicago, Boston and then Orlando, all within four days.

"We just have to take this loss and move on," Pacers forward Paul George said. "It's a long season. We must continue to grow and help each other."

NOTES: Pacers C Jeff Foster was out for the fourth straight game with a sore back. ... AJ Price wasn't with the Pacers because of strep throat. ... Vogel isn't surprised by Hibbert playing through his injury. "He's a hard-nosed guy," Vogel said before the game. "He's a tough guy and he's a determined guy." ... Orlando's 46 percent shootings is the first time that a Pacers' home opponent shot better than 40 percent this season. ... The Magic blocked a season-high nine shots and Earl Clark rejected a season-high four shots.

Notebook: Magic 102, Pacers 83

By Conrad Brunner, for NBA.com
Posted Tuesday January 24, 2012 10:38PM

THE FACTS: Orlando forgot to pack its offense for its trip to Boston Monday, but unloaded on the Pacers. Racking up 102 points -- nearly double its 56-point output in a 31-point loss to the Celtics -- and making 13 3-pointers, the Magic blew it open in the second half and coasted to a 102-83 victory over the Pacers in Bankers Life Fieldhouse. It was the first home loss of the season for Indiana (11-5). Orlando (12-5) moved into third place in the Eastern Conference as Ryan Anderson scored 24. Danny Granger and Roy Hibbert scored 16 apiece for the Pacers.

QUOTABLE: "When you take a loss like last night, people get focused a little bit. You quit taking winning for granted. Sometimes when you win a lot you start thinking about other things. I thought we played well defensively and our effort was lot better."
-- Orlando coach Stan Van Gundy

THE STAT: Fittingly with a dunk early in the third quarter, Dwight Howard became the Orlando franchise's all-time leading scorer, surpassing Nick Anderson (10,650). Howard finished with 14 points, raising his career total to 10,657.

TURNING POINT: Shortly after Howard left the game with his third foul early in the second quarter, the Pacers had a nine-point lead. But led by backup Earl Clark's defense, including three blocked shots in the period, Orlando went on a 17-6 run to take the lead and once Howard returned for the second half, the Magic blew it open with runs of 17-2 in the third quarter and 15-4 in the fourth.

QUOTABLE II: "It does mean a lot. Not too many players in this league can say that they were their franchise's leading scorer. It's a humbling experience. I just have to thank God for keeping me healthy for the eight years that I've been in the league. I also have to thank my teammates for finding me all these years."
-- Dwight Howard

HOT: Anderson made 5-for-7 from the 3-point line, adding eight rebounds to his 24 points. Orlando got 49 points from its second unit.

NOT: None of Indiana's guards registered an assist as the Pacers totaled eight, matching their fewest ever in a home game.

QUOTABLE III: "I think maybe the worst thing that happened was Dwight Howard getting in foul trouble. We went post, post, post, pound, pound, pound and that led to eight assists and 19 turnovers."
-- Danny Granger

GOOD MOVE: With Howard in foul trouble, Van Gundy turned to little-used reserve Earl Clark in the second quarter and his post defense thwarted the Pacers' attempt to pound the ball inside.

BAD MOVE: Indiana coach Frank Vogel focused on trying to exploit his team's post players, Hibbert and David West, rather than running the usual assortment of pick-and-rolls. The move took the Pacers out of their normal offensive flow.

IN THE ARENA: Actor/comedian Mike Epps, the voice of Indianapolis' Super Bowl Village, and former Pacers forward Derrick McKey were among the crowd of 12,760.

NOTABLE: This marked the first time this season the Pacers allowed an opponent to shoot better than 40 percent at home. ... The Pacers made all 18 of their free throws, setting a franchise home record for most without a miss. ... The Magic blocked a season-high nine shots tonight, including a season-high four by Clark, who entered the game with two. ... Hibbert wore a mask to protect his broken nose, sustained in the first half of the 98-96 victory over the Lakers in Los Angeles Sunday. ... Jeff Foster (lower back procedure) missed his fourth consecutive game and is expected to be out another week. ... Backup point guard A.J. Price was unavailable with strep throat.

UP NEXT: For the Pacers, Wednesday at Chicago, Friday at Boston, Sunday at Orlando. For the Magic, Thursday vs. Boston, Friday at New Orleans, Sunday at Indiana.

• Magic: Liggins, Orton
• Pacers: --

• Magic: --
• Pacers: --

• Lead Changes: 4
• Times Tied: 10

• Arena: Bankers Life Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN
• Officials: #48 Scott Foster, #56 Mark Ayotte, #66 Haywoode Workman
• Attendance: 12760
• Duration: 2:11