Matchup
After four days off, the Pacers (8-6) return to action on Saturday night, when they tip off a four-game homestand against the Orlando Magic (6-8).
The four-day break couldn't have come at a better time for the banged-up Pacers. The injury bug hasn't just bitten Indiana over the opening month of the season, it's infested the locker room. The Blue & Gold have already had eight different players combine to miss 51 games due to injury.
The time off should hopefully allow a few players adequate time to heal enough to return to action. Starting shooting guard Jeremy Lamb, who has been out since Nov. 6 with a sprained ankle, participated in Thursday's practice. So, too, did reserve guard T.J. McConnell, who missed the last two contests with a groin injury.
Starting point guard Malcolm Brogdon, who injured his back in Houston on Nov. 15, did not practice on Thursday, meaning it may be a little longer before he returns to the lineup.
The Magic will also be well-rested for Saturday's contest. Orlando last played on Wednesday night in Toronto and will have two days off ahead of Saturday's meeting at The Fieldhouse.
The Pacers picked up a 109-102 win in Orlando on Nov. 10, but the Magic bounced back with three straight wins before falling to the Raptors on Wednesday night. The Magic feature a balanced attack, with six players averaging between 10 and 17 points per game.
Orlando has gotten a boost recently from point guard Markelle Fultz. The much-maligned former first overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft was traded to the Magic after two injury-riddled years with Philadelphia, but he seems more comfortable in Orlando. Over his last three games, Fultz is averaging 14.7 points on 17-for-32 shooting (53.1 percent).
Projected Starters
Aaron Holiday
Justin Holiday
T.J. Warren
Domantas Sabonis
Myles Turner
Markelle Fultz
Evan Fournier
Wes Iwundu
Jonathan Isaac
Khem Birch
Pacers: PG - Aaron Holiday, SG - Justin Holiday, SF - T.J. Warren, PF - Domantas Sabonis, C - Myles Turner
Magic: PG - Markelle Fultz, SG - Evan Fournier, SF - Wes Iwundu, PF - Jonathan Isaac, C - Khem Birch
Injury Report
Pacers: Jeremy Lamb - probable (left ankle sprain), T.J. McConnell - probable (sore right groin), JaKarr Sampson -questionable (sore back), Malcolm Brogdon - doubtful (sore lower back), Victor Oladipo - out (right knee surgery rehab), Edmond Sumner - out (right hand fracture)
Magic: Michael Carter-Williams – out (left hip irritation), Aaron Gordon - out (right ankle contusion), Nikola Vucevic - out (right lateral ankle sprain)
Last Meeting
November 10, 2019: The Pacers trailed by as many as 13 points in the first half, but used a 30-17 third quarter to take the lead and held on for a 109-102 victory in Orlando.
"(Coach McMillan) kind of woke us up a little bit…he kind of came at us at halftime, and we responded really well especially at the start of the third quarter, and our bench just kind of rallied around them," Doug McDermott said after the win.
Domantas Sabonis led Indiana with 21 points, 16 rebounds, and seven assists in the win. Malcolm Brogdon added 19 points, five rebounds, and eight assists, T.J. Warren also tallied 19 points, and McDermott chipped in 18 points and six rebounds off the bench.
Evan Fournier led Orlando with 22 points and six assists in the loss, while Nikola Vucevic finished with 18 points and 17 rebounds.
Noteworthy
- The Pacers snapped a three-game losing streak against the Magic on Nov. 10. Orlando won in both of its visits to Bankers Life Fieldhouse last season.
- Magic guard D.J. Augustin was a member of the Pacers team that reached the Eastern Conference Finals in the 2012-13 season.
- Pacers guard T.J. McConnell was teammates with Orlando guard Markelle Fultz in Philadelphia from 2017-19.
Tickets
The Pacers return to Bankers Life Fieldhouse to open a four-game homestand against the Orlando Magic on Saturday, Nov. 23 at 7:00 PM ET. Find Tickets »
Broadcast Information TV & Radio Listings »
TV: FOX Sports Indiana - Chris Denari (play-by-play), Quinn Buckner (analyst), Jeremiah Johnson (sideline reporter/host)
Radio: 93.5/107.5 FM/1070 AM The Fan - Mark Boyle (play-by-play), Slick Leonard (analyst), Pat Boylan (sideline reporter/host)
Please Note: Inside Bankers Life Fieldhouse, Pacers radio broadcasts can be heard on 1080 AM instead of 1070.
Hickory Night
Saturday's game is the first Hickory night of the 2019-20 season. 1953 Indiana Mr. Basketball and Harlem Globetrotter ambassador Hallie Bryant is the Hickory honoree and will be recognized in a special halftime ceremony.