Pregame Report from AdventHealth Training Center
ORLANDO – Momentum is a funny thing. One second, you’re riding the wave and the next, you’re caught up in the undertow.
The Orlando Magic know this feeling all too well. Heading into Friday’s road contest with the New York Knicks, they had won 13 of their last 16 games – tied for the best record in the NBA over that span. But after a disappointing showing at MSG, Orlando lost some ground to a team it’s battling for postseason positioning.
On Sunday night, the Magic (37-27) will look to flip the script when they take on the Indiana Pacers (35-29), who are just two games back of Orlando in the Eastern Conference playoff race, at Kia Center at 6 p.m. ET.
“It’s great for us to go through these experiences because you know exactly how you need to continue to play,” said Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley. “(The Knicks) did a great job in the way they played us. So, we take it, look at the film, learn from it and apply some of these things (against the Pacers).”
Just like it was against New York prior to Friday’s faceoff, Orlando is undefeated against Indiana this season (2-0). And the Magic know just how difficult it is to sweep a season series against a quality opponent, especially one they’re battling for postseason positioning.
“We haven’t been to the playoffs yet, so we have to look at (games like these) and adjust,” said Magic forward Paolo Banchero. “We have to realize that the playoffs are going to be a lot more physical with higher intensity, and we have to be ready for it.”
Orlando’s defensive game plan will likely center around slowing down Indiana’s floor general Tyrese Haliburton. The All-Star point guard is averaging a team-high 20.8 points per contest to go along with an NBA-best 11.4 assists per game.
The Pacers can score in a hurry, as their league-leading 123.3 points per game attest. They shoot the highest percentage from the floor in the association (50.6), while knocking down 37.8 percent of their attempts from beyond the arc – the sixth-best mark in the NBA.
Orlando will have to be careful not to get caught up in a track meet with Indiana, who plays at the second-highest pace in the league (102.5) and puts up the fourth-most fast break points (16.0) per outing.
IN AND OUT: Markelle Fultz (left knee; strain), Kevon Harris (G League – Two-Way), Jett Howard (G League – On Assignment), Trevelin Queen (G League – Two-Way), and Jalen Suggs (right thigh; contusion) are out for Orlando.
For Indiana, Quenton Jackson (G League – Two-Way), Oscar Tshiebwe (G League – Two-Way), and Isaiah Wong (G League – Two-Way) are questionable, while Bennedict Mathurin (right shoulder; labral tear) and Doug McDermott (right calf; strain) are out.
QUOTE TO NOTE: “I mainly try to lead by example. I’ve definitely been able to use my voice more, which I’m getting better at as a leader. I’m trying to be the leader game in and game out for my team … and I think we’re trying to reach new heights as a team. As of now, we’re in the playoffs, so we want to stay there, get there, and see what we can do. (Friday in New York) was a great learning experience, so we just have to take it, and learn from it to get better.”- Paolo Banchero
KEY STATS: The Magic were held to a season-low 74 points in New York on Friday. The last time Orlando scored 74-points-or-less was on Nov. 11, 2016 against the Utah Jazz in an 87-74 defeat.