Advantage Indiana Pacers as they meet Orlando Magic at the Amway Centre for game-3.......
After splitting the opening two games 1-1 in the best of seven series, Orlando Magic will look to capitalize on their home court advantage against the number three seeded Indiana Pacers.
Many critics would have expected the Pacers to just sweep past the Magic, especially at home, however despite having to play without their best player in Dwight Howard (out with back surgery), Orlando came out gunning in the series
opener, stunning everyone let alone the Pacers with a score line of 81-77.
The win came at a time when no one would have even expected to keep pace with the young Pacers team but the Magic had the last laugh after Game 1. Such was the situation that the Orlando centre, Glen Davis was seen yelling "Y'all
look real stunned” as he left the court after the game.
The victory was made possible by Jason Richardson`s exploits from beyond the arc. He finished the night with 5 treys as he along with Jameer Nelson signed off with 17 points each in the game. Davis also had a fair say in the win
by notching up a double-double with 16 points and 13 rebounds.
This new found attitude of the Magic was very impressive as they never looked to give up in the game. Even Pacers players respected the Orlando Spirit.
"Even though they're a sixth seed team, they're still good with or without Dwight Howard," - Darren Collison, Pacers Guard.
The Pacers however never panicked.
"It's not in my nature to panic," Frank Vogel, the Pacers head coach said before the game-2. "It's not in this team's nature to panic. The answers are clear. Our deficiencies last night are very fixable. Things we've done all year.
We're still a very confident bunch."
His team lived up to their coach’s words and came out as a unit we all have grown accustomed to seeing this season. Led by David West`s double-double figures of 18 points and 11 rebounds they won the second affair of this series
with a comfortable score line of 93-78.
Danny Granger and George Hill also getting 18 points each in the game with Paul George, following it up with 17 points on the night. Indiana looked to put things to a more familiar order.
The defensive intensity in the game was very good on Indiana`s part as they held the Magic to only shoot 36% from the field, a very major factor in the loss for Magic. Despite trailing by two points at the half way stage, Pacers
turned things around in the second half, especially the time frame of the third period to make their way to a comfortable win.
However as the current situation stands, the series now shifts its focus to Orlando and many who had written out the Magic, even before Game 1 will be looking to re-evaluate and re-consider their opinions.
Game 3 is scheduled to take place on Wednesday night at the Amway Center. Magic, who have come out of their trip to Indiana with one victory will look to make the most of this opportunity and wrap up the series at home. On the
other hand, the tough task of winning on the road lies ahead for this Pacers side.
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