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The Sports Network
(Sports Network) - The Indiana Pacers will try to extend their season-high
winning streak to five games when they entertain the Orlando Magic tonight in
the opener of a modest two-game homestand.
Indiana has won four in a row and seven of its last nine games, including
Friday's 98-87 triumph at Dallas. Paul George sank seven three-pointers en
route to a career-high 30 points and also collected nine rebounds and five
assists to lead the victors.
David West finished with 20 points and six boards, while Danny Granger added
16 points and five rebounds for the Pacers, who won in Dallas for the first
time since January 9, 2004, halting a seven-game skid in Big D. Darren
Collison donated 13 points and six assists in the victory.
"Obviously really excited about the win; a team effort indicative of 25
assists on 37 made buckets," Pacers head coach Frank Vogel said. "Stellar
defense, in particular in the second half, and in that first half, too; they
were hitting a lot of tough shots."
The Pacers will also welcome Utah to Indy and are 6-1 as the host. They are
currently 1 1/2 games behind Chicago for the Central Division lead.
Orlando has won back-to-back games since losing four straight and six of
eight, and recorded a 102-94 victory versus Cleveland last night at Amway
Center courtesy of 19 points and 16 rebounds from All-Star Dwight Howard.
"I just tried to be aggressive on the defensive end and block shots," Howard
said. "The last couple of games we've been playing against a lot of quick
guards who take it and go. So I was just trying to be the guy back there for
us who could block shots and make our defense work."
Jason Richardson scored 19 points as well and Hedu Turkoglu added 18 for the
Magic, who shot 42.5 percent and were coming off a win over Washington. Ryan
Anderson netted 17 points and Von Wafer added 11 in a reserve role.
The Magic have been without starting point guard Jameer Nelson since January
27 because of concussion-like symptoms and the former Saint Joseph's star will
most likely miss tonight's game. After visiting the Pacers, Orlando will play
three straight and six of seven games in central Florida. It is 6-5 away from
home this season.
Magic center Glen Davis is eligible to return from a two-game suspension
Monday. Davis was penalized for conduct detrimental to the team, general
manager Otis Smith announced Friday. Davis, who was acquired during the
offseason via a trade with the Celtics, missed Friday's game against the
Cavaliers and is averaging 7.3 points, 5.0 rebounds and 22.3 minutes in 22
games this season.
The Magic handed Indiana its first home loss of the season with a 102-83
victory on Jan. 24, but the Pacers evened the season set thanks to a 106-85
triumph five days later. Orlando is 12-3 in the past 15 meetings with the
Pacers, who have dropped four in a row as the host in this series.
The Sports Network