Pacers beat Vogel’s Magic for 2nd straight win
By TYLER SMITH (@TylerSmith_ISL)
ISL Editor
(Photo by Pacers Sports and Entertainment)
INDIANAPOLIS — Frank Vogel returned to Indianapolis for the second time since taking over for the Orlando Magic. And for the second time, the Pacers defeated their former head coach. Much like the first meeting, this game was never really in doubt, as the Pacers won by a final score of 117-104 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.
“It still feels weird coming back here,” Vogel said after the game. “But once the game starts, it’s just about competing.”
Indiana (17-18) led 27-17 after the first quarter, and 62-51 at halftime. There was a scary moment late in the first half, as Jeff Teague went down with a rolled ankle. He limped off the court and went straight to the locker room. But after receiving treatment, he came out and started the second half.
“It’s a little sore, but it will get better,” Teague said. He put together another solid night, with 12 points and nine assists.
The Pacers blew the game open in the third quarter, even when Paul George and Jeff Teague were resting on the bench.
Myles Turner led the Pacers with 23 points and 12 rebounds. He also extended his NBA-leading 23rd straight game with at least one blocked shot.
“I’ve just been the recipient of great passes,” Turner said. “I don’t need to force shots. Last year I forced too much. It’s a team effort, and we’ve just got to keep riding this momentum.”
Monta Ellis had a solid night off the bench, with four points, four assists, and four rebounds in 15 minutes. It will be interesting to see if he will stick with the second unit when his minute restriction is lifted. Glenn Robinson III had another solid night as a starter, putting up nine points and eight rebounds.
The Pacers have now won two straight games and are 13-5 at home on the season. They will once again try to bring some momentum to the road, where they are just 4-13.
“I guess we’ve just got to believe in each other more on the road,” said Jeff Teague. “I know at home we’re comfortable making the extra pass and playing for one another. We’ve just got to carry that over to the road and continue playing how we’ve been playing.”
The Pacers will be in Detroit on Tuesday night, where they will look to win their third straight for the first time this season.
