The Orlando Magic came back from 12 points down in the final 3:36 Monday night and gave star Paolo Banchero a chance to tie it at the buzzer. Pascal Siakam’s defensive heroics and Orlando’s third-quarter defensive collapse sent the Magic to their fifth straight loss, 128-126.
The Indiana Pacers put up 44 points in the third quarter as Orlando’s defense couldn’t stop Aaron Nesmith (16 points in the third quarter) and Andrew Nembhard (seven assists). Banchero had seven points and an assist in the final 2:18 of regulation, carving through the Pacers defense — until Siakam blocked his final attempt.
Losing to Indiana Pacers is a crushing defeat for Orlando Magic
The Magic had lost four straight going into Monday’s game, but they hoped they could end the skid against a Pacers team that had lost a franchise-record 16 straight games. Instead, Orlando dropped into 8th place, keeping their place only thanks to the Miami Heat also dropping their fifth straight.
But they let the Pacers score 16 points above their average, and shoot 55 percent from the field. Orlando was missing All-Defensive guard Jalen Suggs, but it was a remarkably poor defensive performance all the same.
The same can’t be said for the Pacers on Banchero’s final drive, though the All-Star clearly thought he got fouled on his way to the hoop.
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