Last Updated: Oct. 14 at 11:45 AM
Matchup
After a blowout win on Wednesday night in Evansville, the Pacers (3-1 this preseason) will travel to Orlando to take on the Magic (0-3) in their penultimate exhibition game of 2016.
As the preseason schedule winds down, NBA coaches tend to treat these early games less like exhibition contests and more like regular season games, at least in how they structure their rotation and distribute playing time. Pacers head coach Nate McMillan is no exception.
In fact, Friday's game might have a little extra importance for McMillan, as it will likely mark the first time he has had his complete starting five at his disposal this preseason. Starting center Myles Turner missed the first two preseason contests while recovering from a concussion and All-Star forward Paul George has sat out the past two contests. McMillan elected to rest George last Friday in Chicago, but then the three-time All-Star came down with strep throat, which prevented him from playing in Wednesday's 101-83 win over Milwaukee in Evansville.
If George can go in Orlando, Pacers fans will finally get a long-awaited look at the new starting five, with offseason additions Jeff Teague and Thaddeus Young joining holdovers George, Turner, and Monta Ellis. On paper, that's a solid starting group, but they'll no doubt take some time to really jell with one another.
While the starting five's chemistry remains a question mark, Indiana's second unit has looked very strong so far this preseason. Guard Rodney Stuckey has been arguably the team's best player through the first four games, constantly pushing the ball on the break and igniting the offensive attack. Veteran big man Al Jefferson scored in double figures in his first three exhibition games and Lavoy Allen tallied a double-double on Wednesday. Point guard Aaron Brooks and swingman C.J. Miles have each missed two games due to minor injuries, but both are reliable veterans who can score in bunches.
Friday's game will likely be a bit strange for many Pacers fans, as it will mark the first time Indiana squares off against former coach Frank Vogel. Vogel took over the reins in Indiana midway through the 2010-11 season and compiled a 431-250 record in five and a half seasons on the job. He's the winningest coach in Pacers NBA franchise history and led the team to back-to-back Eastern Conference Finals appearances in 2013 and 2014.
McMillan, who served as associate head coach under Vogel for his last three seasons in Indiana, still has a close relationship with Vogel, as do several Pacers players. Even though they're now on opposite sidelines, Friday's contest will undoubtedly be a friendly reunion.
Projected Starters
Jeff Teague
Monta Ellis
Paul George
Thaddeus Young
Myles Turner
Elfrid Payton
Evan Fournier
Aaron Gordon
Serge Ibaka
Nikola Vučević
Pacers: PG - Jeff Teague, SG - Monta Ellis, SF - Paul George, PF - Thaddeus Young, C - Myles Turner
Magic: PG - Elfrid Payton, SG - Evan Fournier, SF - Aaron Gordon, PF - Serge Ibaka, C - Nikola Vučević
Injury Report
Pacers: Aaron Brooks - out (sore right knee), C.J. Miles - out (sore left knee)
Magic: Jodie Meeks - out (fractured fifth metatarsal, right foot)
Last Meeting
March 31, 2016: Orlando outscored Indiana in every quarter en route to a 114-94 win at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Evan Fournier scored 25 points and Nikola Vučevic added 24 and six rebounds to lead five Magic players in double figures.
"I think it's the matchup," Paul George said after the loss. "Teams that spread us out cause us the most trouble. They're a 3-point shooting team but they got hot in the midrange. And they got some good baskets at the rim. This team was hot tonight."
George led the Pacers with 27 points and eight rebounds in the loss. Lavoy Allen (12 points and 11 rebounds) had a double-double.
Noteworthy
- In addition to Vogel, the Magic also have three former Pacers players on their training camp roster: point guard D.J. Augustin, forward Damjan Rudež, and point guard C.J. Watson.
- With George and Miles out the past two games, Glenn Robinson III has started at small forward. The 22-year-old has performed well given extended minutes, tallying 17 points and six rebounds in Chicago and 11 points and three boards in Evansville.
- The Pacers are averaging 108.5 points per game through their four preseason contests, second only to Miami (109.0) in the Eastern Conference.
Broadcast Information
TV: None
Radio: 93.5 FM/AM 1070 The Fan - Mark Boyle (play-by-play), Pat Boylan (studio host)
Tickets
Single game tickets are on sale now for all 2016-17 games, including the six "Decade Games" that will each honor a specific era of Pacers basketball and feature a bobble head giveaway. Find Tickets »