By John Denton
July 9, 2015
ORLANDO -- Tyler Harvey, the nation’s leading 3-point shooter last season in college basketball, saw a 3-pointer rim out with 17 seconds remaining, ending the Orlando Magic’s bid of a come-from-behind victory on Thursday.
Harvey, a second-round pick of the Magic, had 24 points and four 3-pointers, but it wasn’t enough as Indiana rallied for a 91-85 win for its first victory of the Southwest Airlines Orlando Pro Summer League.
Guard Joe Young, the 43rd pick of the June 25th NBA Draft, continued his electrifying play with another 28 points and five 3-pointers as Indiana (1-3) outscored Orlando Blue (1-3) 32-22 in the final quarter. In three games this week, Young – the reigning Pac-12 Player of the Year from Oregon – has averaged 20.7 points per game while shooting 52.4 percent from the floor and 53.3 percent from 3-point range.
Harvey played well throughout and tried to rally Orlando in the closing minute. His layup off a turnover cut it to 87-84 with 26 seconds to play. But with the Magic trailing by four points, Harvey got a good look from the wing, but the ball rattled out.
``I thought that (shot) went down, but sometimes that happens and you just have to move on to the next shot,’’ said Harvey, who averaged four 3-pointers a game last season and once drilled 10 in a game while starring at tiny Eastern Washington. ``It’s been a great experience for me because I’m competing against the best every night and that’s what I want. I��ve learned so much information.’’
Romero Osby, a former second-round pick of the Magic, scored 12 points for Indiana.
Devyn Marble, who had his rookie season with the Magic cut short by a detached retina injury in his left eye, played well on Thursday with 22 points, five 3-pointers, seven rebounds and four steals. Marble has 12 steals in four games with half of them coming in last Saturday’s overtime victory.
Orlando rested veteran players Aaron Gordon and Elfrid Payton and No. 5 pick Mario Hezonja on Thursday and none of the three will play on Friday either. Gordon, the No. 4 pick of the 2014 NBA Draft, showed tremendous progress during this week, averaging 21.7 points, 11.7 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.7 blocks a game.
``I think this was big for me because it put trust in my teammates, myself and the coaches,’’ Gordon said. ``That’s what it’s really about is having everyone trust you and you trusting them.’’
Payton and Hezonja both played two games during the week, with the 6-foot-8, 218-pound small forward showing flashes of greatness with a game-winning 3-pointer and two thunderous dunks. Hezonja’s playing time was limited because he’s already played 53 games in the Spanish League and Euro League, but he said that the Summer League action will help him in making the transition to the NBA.
``My first (mission) was to get great chemistry with the teammates,’’ said Hezonja, who averaged 13 points in two games. ``I did that and I’m really happy about that. As for the games, the summer league is the summer league. But to be out here and get along with Elfrid and Aaron (was important). Now, I just need to work on every detail of basketball to get better.’’
Indiana rested talented center Myles Turner, the No. 11 pick in the June 25 NBA Draft. Turner has been one of the best players in Orlando all week, averaging 18.7 points, 8.3 rebounds and 4.3 blocks a game. Indiana President of Basketball Operations Larry Bird stayed in Orlando all week to monitor Turner’s play, and he liked what he saw enough to reportedly deal Roy Hibbert to the Los Angeles Lakers.
Indiana shook off a slow start and led 43-41 at the half. Young drilled three 3-pointers and scored 13 points early on to give the Pacers an early edge.
Getting his first extensive playing time of the week, Harvey showed why the Magic believed in him enough to be a second-round in the draft. Harvey, who led Division I in scoring (23.1 ppg.) and 3-point makes (four), was perfect in the first half by making all five of his shots and both of his 3-point shots and free throws. He added two assists to go with his 14 first-half points.