The Indiana Pacers secured a 118-111 win over the Orlando Magic Nov. 6 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in downtown Indianapolis.
From the opening frame, the Pacers set a snappy pace, compounding an early double-digit lead that forced Orlando to trail behind for much of the contest.
“Obviously, a very tough. Hard-fought game,” Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle said. “This is what the NBA is now; it is a slugfest almost every night.”
In their last battle on Oct. 28 in Orlando, the Magic defeated the Pacers 119-115, primarily backed by Paolo Banchero’s 50-point performance.
Banchero missed the second matchup with the Pacers this season with a torn right oblique and remains sidelined indefinitely.
Indiana’s offense took off in the first quarter. Bennedict Mathurin led the charge, scoring nine points early on, driving the Pacers’ scoring throughout the contest. Mathurin finished with 20 points and 11 rebounds.
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Pascal Siakam delivered a strong performance with 17 points, combining drives to the cup with midrange jump shots to keep Orlando’s defense honest.
The Magic tightened up in the second frame, mostly due to Franz Wagner, who finished with a game-high 28 points. Wagner’s versatility on offense kept Orlando competitive as they loosened Indiana’s grip on the lead.
Backed by Goga Bitadze, who added 10 points and 12 rebounds, The Magic’s physicality helped them stay within striking distance.
Fan Jennifer Valme, one of the 16,000 fans in attendance, believes the matchup lived up to the hype right from the opening tip.
“The game was fantastic,” Valme told the Indianapolis Recorder. “Pacers fans brought an incredible amount of energy, passion and charisma. It was a tough game, but the Pacers pulled through.”
The Pacer’s bench contributed timely shots and stops, particularly from Jarace Walker and T.J. McConnell, who helped sustain the Pacers’ traction in the second frame.
Walker had an impressive night, successfully making all seven of his shot attempts, including three three-pointers, and finishing with a total of 17 points. McConnell contributed 15 points, which helped the Pacers maintain a narrow lead throughout the final quarter.
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As the Magic continued to press, The Pacers’ defense answered the call, forcing turnovers and defending the paint. Myles Turner, with his 17 points and 10 rebounds, was crucial in locking down the Magic’s offense in the game’s fleeting moments, adding timely blocks that halted the Magic’s attempts to overcome the Pacers.
Following the contest, Walker thanked his teammates for the support he’s received.
“It’s just love,” Walker said. “They have been with me every step of the way. Last season was tough for me, and they were in my ear every single day, so for them to still be by my side throughout everything is big time.”
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Tyrese Haliburton also gave Walkers his flowers after his breakout game.
“I am really proud of Jerace Walker and his performance tonight,” Haliburton said. “I thought he was amazing defensively, getting his hands on basketballs, getting his hands on tips, rebounds, doing a little bit of everything.”
Indiana moves to an even 4-4 on the season, while Orlando falls to 3-6. The Pacers take on Lamelo Ball and the Charlotte Hornets at 7 p.m. on Nov. 8 at the Spectrum Center.
“It is going to be another minefield of a game,” Carlisle said about the upcoming matchup. “It is going to be another real test.”
Contact multi-media & senior sports reporter Noral Parham III at 317-762-7846 or via email at noralp@indyrecorder.com. Follow him on X @3Noral.
