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Orlando Magic coach, Scott Skiles summed up the Pacers win on Wednesday succinctly and accurately.
"I didn't feel Indiana played that well and they were still able to beat us," Skiles said.
The Pacers surely don't care what the game looked like in Orlando as long as they left town with a W.The road hasn't been kind to the Pacers lately, so if the iron was unkind but the scoreboard ended up in their favor, all is good.
But, whew, was the iron unkind for both teams last night. Victor Oladipo entered the game shooting 27% from behind the 3-point arc but helped keep the Magic close by making 4 of 7. Take out Vic's night, and the rest of the Magic were 2-24 from 3-land. The Pacers weren't much better making just 6 of 22 threes, but George Hill knocked down all three of his attempts which put the Paces in charge down the stretch.
While scoring was a struggle early, the flow of the game was similar to what we saw in Miami on Monday. The big different was a simple improvement from the free throw line. Against the Heat, the Pacers made just 6 of their last 13 free throws. In Orlando, the Pacers were 13 for 13 in the final five minutes. Monta Ellis simply wouldn't let the game slip away by making six in a row in the final 50 seconds.
There are all kinds of a factors that go into each win or loss but sometimes the difference is no more complicated than making a freebie from 15 feet.
Check out the links:
Game Rewind: Pacers 95, Magic 86 | Indiana Pacers
Postgame Report: Magic vs. Pacers (1/6/16) | Orlando Magic
Defense powers Pacers over the Magic
George, Ellis lead Pacers to 95-86 win over Magic - AP
Monta Ellis wills Indiana Pacers to win over Orlando Magic - UPI.com
Pacers 95, Magic 86: Indiana too much for host Orlando - Orlando Pinstriped Post
VIDEO: Paul George – Indiana Pacers 1/6/16 | Basketball Insiders | NBA Rumors And Basketball News
Pacers Grind Out Important Road Victory Over Magic - 8 Points, 9 Seconds
NBA AM: Ellis Finding His Way With Pacers | Basketball Insiders | NBA Rumors And Basketball News
Grading the Pelicans first quarter of the season - The Bird Writes
Have the Indiana Pacers Replaced Roy Hibbert?
Can the Cavaliers get out of the East? Four teams want to know. | Ball Don't Lie - Yahoo Sports