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Game Preview: Pacers at Magic

Matchup

After another tough loss on Friday night in Miami, the Pacers (15-30) will look to bounce back on Sunday in Orlando against the Magic (15-31).

Both teams have struggled in recent weeks. Each team has won just two of their previous 10 games. Indiana enters Sunday in the midst of a seven-game losing streak, while Orlando is in a four-game skid.

The Pacers trailed by 20 points in the third quarter in Miami, but mounted an admirable rally. The Pacers had a shot to tie or win the game in the final seconds, with George Hill setting C.J. Watson up with a great look in the corner, but Watson's long two went in and out.

Still, there were some positives to be taken away from Friday's effort. In particular, Hill's return to the court after an 11-game absence provided a noticeable lift on both ends of the court. Hill played 20 minutes of the bench, scoring 13 points with two assists and no turnovers. At some point, Hill will return to the starting lineup, but head coach Frank Vogel may elect to continue to bring him off the bench for the next game or two.

Vogel changed up his starting lineup on Friday, starting C.J. Miles at shooting guard in place of Rodney Stuckey. Miles got off to a hot start, scoring eight quick points, but left the game midway through the first quarter with a groin injury and did not return.

Orlando is a young team that is still learning how to win on a consistent basis. The Magic are led by 24-year-old center Nikola Vucevic, who averages 19.4 points and 11.3 rebounds per game. 22-year-old forward Tobias Harris adds 17.8 points and 6.7 boards, while 22-year-old guard and former Indiana All-American Victor Oladipo averages 16.4 points and 3.9 assists.

Projected Starters

C.J. Watson

C.J. Watson

Rodney Stuckey

Rodney Stuckey

Solomon Hill

Solomon Hill

David West

David West

Roy Hibbert

Roy Hibbert

Elfrid Payton

Elfrid Payton

Victor Oladipo

Victor Oladipo

Devyn Marble

Devyn Marble

Channing Frye

Channing Frye

Nikola Vucevic

Nikola Vucevic

Pacers: PG - C.J. Watson, SG - Rodney Stuckey, SF - Solomon Hill, PF - David West, C - Roy Hibbert
Magic: PG - Elfrid Payton, SG - Victor Oladipo, SF - Devyn Marble, PF - Channing Frye, C - Nikola Vucevic

Injury Report

Pacers: Paul George - out (rehabilitation, fractured right tibia/fibula), C.J. Miles - out (left groin strain)

Magic: None

Last Meeting

November 28, 2014: David West scored 18 points in his regular season debut to lead Indiana to a 98-83 win over the Magic.

The Pacers dominated the boards all night, collecting nine offensive rebounds in the first quarter. Indiana outrebounded Orlando 53-32 overall and 17-2 on the offensive glass.

Rodney Stuckey led all scorers with 24 points, including 11 in the fourth quarter. Lavoy Allen added 10 points and 14 points off the bench for the Pacers.

Nikola Vucevic led Orlando with 16 points and seven rebounds. Tobias Harris and Victor Oladipo each added 14 points for the visitors.

Noteworthy

  • Indiana leads the overall series with the Magic 48-45, but holds an 18-28 record on the road in Orlando.
  • Pacers guard Rodney Stuckey needs four assists to reach 2,000 in his career.

Broadcast Information

TV: FOX Sports Indiana - Chris Denari (play-by-play), Quinn Buckner (analyst), Jeremiah Johnson (sideline reporter/host)
Radio: 107.5/1070 The Fan - Mark Boyle (play-by-play), Pat Boylan (studio host)

Tickets

The Pacers return to Bankers Life Fieldhouse on Tuesday to host Kyle Lowry and the Toronto Raptors. Good seats still remain for that game. Reserve your seats now: Find Tickets »