Game Rewind: Pacers 93, Magic 96 (Preseason)

Despite all five starters scoring in double figures, the Pacers fell to the Orlando Magic in Friday's preseason tilt, 96-93.

The Magic led by as many as 11 points in the second half, but Indiana battled back. Reserve point guard Donald Sloan scored 13 of his team-high 16 points in the fourth quarter and the Pacers tied the game at 85 on Solomon Hill's layup with 3:19 to play.

That was as close as the Blue-and-Gold would get, however, as Orlando retook the lead on a corner three from rookie Devyn Marble on the next possession and stayed in front the rest of the way.

"Tough loss," Pacers head coach Frank Vogel said in his postgame press conference. "We tried a lot of different combinations, and a lot of what we're doing early this season is going to be a work in progress."

Despite a strong half from the veteran trio of George Hill, C.J. Miles and Roy Hibbert, the Pacers trailed the Magic at halftime, 47-46.

The Pacers signed Miles because of his ability to score points in bunches. He did just that in the first quarter Friday night, exploding for 11 points in just under 11 minutes. The 10th-year pro went 3-for-5 from the field in the opening quarter, hit two 3-pointers, and sank three free throws after being fouled on another attempt.

"Just playing basketball," Miles said of the keys to his outburst. "Just trying to be in the open spots, give my teammates outlets, and being able to just make plays when the opportunity presents itself."

Hibbert added 10 points and two blocks in the period, and Indiana led by as many as 13 points after Hibbert's hook shot with 2:38 to play.

But the Magic stormed back against the Pacers' second unit, using a 21-5 run to briefly retake the lead. That's when Hill took over.

The Pacers point guard, who tallied 17 points in just over 20 minutes in the team's preseason debut on Tuesday, hit three straight 3-pointers to put Indiana back in front.

Once more, Orlando rallied, closing the half on an 8-3 run to retake the lead heading into the locker room.

After his productive start, head coach Frank Vogel gave Miles the rest of the night off. Hibbert did not appear in the second half after logging 15:09 in the first half.

But Hill and starting shooting guard Rodney Stuckey played into the third quarter, which saw Orlando extend its lead briefly into double digits.

"I liked the way we came out to start the game," Vogel said. "Built up a big lead...we struggled beyond that, but like I said, it's a work in progress."

The Pacers were without the services of starting power forward David West, who Vogel elected to hold out of Friday's contest to give other players a look.

Tobias Harris led Orlando with 16 points, six rebounds, and four assists. Kyle O'Quinn had 13 points and 10 boards for the victorious visitors.

The Pacers now prepare for their first road trip of the season. Indiana will head to Dallas to take on the Mavericks on Sunday night at 7:30 p.m. ET.

Sloan led Indiana with 16 points on 5-for-13 shooting, going 3-for-8 from 3-point range. Hibbert had 13 points on 4-for-8 shooting. Lavoy Allen started in place of West and finished with 10 points on 5-for-11 shooting and eight rebounds. Hill and Miles each finished with 11 points, while Stuckey added 10.

The Pacers got to the line 27 times on the night, making 22 of their attempts from the charity stripe (81.5 percent). Hibbert was 5-for-6 from the line, while Stuckey and Luis Scola were each 4-for-4.

Harris and O'Quinn led four players in double figures. Nikola Pekovic finished with 12 points and six rebounds. Evan Fournier added 11.

"We just wanted to keep growing, and get better as a team. We wanted to get out and execute what we practice every day, seeing our offense against some other defensive schemes. We just wanted to go out and play hard and give effort and, like I said, just keep growing. Everything else will take care of itself if we play together." -Miles

"He’s been around, just entering his prime. A third point guard like that is a luxury for us." -Vogel on Sloan

"Just working on (my 3-point shot), day in and day out. Trying to be more aggressive...trying to put some points on the board, trying to show that I can attack, shoot it, mislead guys and come back another way and score." -Sloan on how he's improved since last season

"I felt okay up until the second half, when I went in the fourth quarter that’s when I struggled a little bit. As the preseason goes on I will get in better shape, playing more of the four. I think I’ll be okay. I think I’m doing okay so far." -Lavoy Allen on playing big minutes (he played a team-high 25:52)

"Another efficient night. I think when you watch him you just see a flow to his game right now. Whether he’s leading the break, whether he’s getting off of it or whether he’s attacking the rim. I loved his attacks to the rim tonight. But overall he’s got a great flow to his game" -Magic head coach Jacque Vaughn on Tobias Harris

"I think we’re just taking what the defense is giving us. Coach is putting us in some great positions right now to be effective. We’ll just continue to thrive off that right now. We’re playing some great team basketball right now, and I think that’s what’s helping us out the most." -Harris

"I think that’s something that is going to help this team. Getting out and playing fast. Tonight we got some buckets in transition that really turned the game around." -Magic rookie point guard Elfrid Payton

Indiana will head to Dallas to take on the Mavericks on Sunday night at 7:30 p.m. ET.