The Orlando Magic (15-9) were able to overcome a season-high 25 total turnovers, including a career-high tying eight turnovers from Hedo Turkoglu, to stave off the Indiana Pacers (16-7) comeback attempt and hold on for a 85-81 victory, their third in a row. The Magic's Ryan Anderson hit four clutch free throws in the final ten seconds of the game to keep the Pacers at bay. Indiana came as close as 69-68 with just over seven minutes remaining, but the Magic were able to hold the Pacers off the rest of the way.
Dwight Howard led the way for the Magic with 27 points, 8 rebounds, 3 steals, and 2 blocks. Jason Richardson added 17 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists; Ryan Anderson had 12 points and 7 boards. For Indiana, Danny Granger led them in scoring with 19 points, and 7 rebounds, but shot just 4 of 16. Tyler Hansbrough led the Pacers' reserves with 17 points. Paul George, coming off a 30 point game Friday night, scored 13 points along with 7 rebounds and 5 assists. No one for the Pacers shot 50% or better from the field.
The Magic played well on defense again, holding Indiana to just 34.2% shooting for the game, including 4 of 22 (18.2%) from the three point line. In the second half, the Pacers could only shoot 13 of 43 (30.2%), including 8 of 28 (28.6%) in the fourth.
Aside from a brief Indiana lead in the opening minutes of the game, the Magic never lost the lead, even though the score was tied at 39 at the half. The Magic outscored Indiana 23-14 in the third quarter, shooting 10 for 18 (55.9%) from the field, allowing them to hold a 62-53 lead after three. Even though the Magic shot just 4 of 15 from the field in the fourth, they made 14 of 17 from the free throw line to help them claim the hard-earned victory.
Other game notes:
-Quentin Richardson led the Magic reserves with 8 points, all coming in the first half. J.J. Redick, who was scoreless on Friday, scored 7 points, including 2 of 2 on threes. Magic reserves Von Wafer, Earl Clark, and Ish Smith, who combined for 21 points Friday, scored a combined two points against the Pacers.
-Not only did Turkoglu have the eight turnovers, he shot just 2 of 11 from the field, including 0 for 6 on threes. He did contribute though with 10 rebounds, 4 assists, a steal and a block.
-Chris Duhon continues to be unspectacular but steady at point guard, starting in place of the injured Jameer Nelson. He scored just 3 points in 38 minutes, but had only one turnover and dished out 5 assists.
-For the first time this season, Howard shot 70% from the free throw line, making 7 of 10. In the last three games, Howard is shooting free throws as well as he has at any point in the season, making 27 of 42 (64.3%).
-Indiana's David West, averaging 12 points a game, was held to 4 points on 2 of 7 shooting.
-Indiana had a 15-8 advantage on offensive boards, and attempted 13 more shots than the Magic.
Kudos to the Magic for being able to pull off the upset victory over Indiana, despite a brutal travel schedule because of the Super Bowl being held in Indy. The Pacers have lost two home games this season, with both losses coming at the hands of the Magic.
Here is the complete box score.