Game Preview: Pacers at Magic

Indiana Pacers (25-34) vs. Orlando Magic (20-39)

Tuesday, March 7, 2023 at 7:00 PM ET

The Indiana Pacers will travel to Orlando to take on the Orlando Magic on Tuesday, March 7th, 2023. The Pacers are currently 25-34 on the season, while the Magic are 20-39. This will be the third and final meeting between the two teams this season. The Pacers won the first two meetings, 113-104 on November 12th, 2022, and 116-109 on December 19th, 2022. The Pacers are coming off of a 117-111 loss to the Chicago Bulls on Sunday, February 26th, 2023. Tyrese Haliburton led the Pacers with 28 points, 10 assists, and 6 rebounds. Bennedict Mathurin added 23 points and 7 rebounds, while Buddy Hield scored 17 points. The Pacers shot 42.9% from the field and 36.4% from three-point range. The Magic are coming off of a 113-109 loss to the Miami Heat on Sunday, February 26th, 2023. Paolo Banchero led the Magic with 22 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists. Franz Wagner added 20 points and 6 rebounds, while Jalen Suggs scored 16 points. The Magic shot 46.7% from the field and 32.1% from three-point range. The Pacers are a slight favorite to win this game. They have a better record than the Magic and they have won the first two meetings between the two teams this season. However, the Magic are playing at home and they have a lot of young talent. This could be a close game.

Key Matchups

* Tyrese Haliburton vs. Paolo Banchero: Haliburton is one of the most promising young point guards in the NBA. He is averaging 20.2 points, 10.2 assists, and 4.0 rebounds per game this season. Banchero is the No. 1 overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft. He is averaging 20.4 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game this season. * Bennedict Mathurin vs. Franz Wagner: Mathurin is another promising young player for the Pacers. He is averaging 17.2 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game this season. Wagner is a third-year forward for the Magic. He is averaging 19.1 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game this season. * Buddy Hield vs. Jalen Suggs: Hield is a veteran shooting guard for the Pacers. He is averaging 17.8 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per game this season. Suggs is a second-year point guard for the Magic. He is averaging 13.6 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 5.9 assists per game this season.

Prediction

The Pacers are a slight favorite to win this game. They have a better record than the Magic and they have won the first two meetings between the two teams this season. However, the Magic are playing at home and they have a lot of young talent. This could be a close game. I predict the Pacers will win by a score of 115-110.