Franz Wagner’s three-point play with 1:17 remaining put Orlando ahead for good as the Magic posted their largest comeback of the season, overcoming a 17-point, second-half deficit to defeat the Indiana Pacers 119-118 on Wednesday night in Indianapolis.
Gary Harris’ sixth triple of the game tied the score at 108 with 1:51 remaining, which was part of an 11-0 Orlando run. Wagner’s three-point play made it 113-110 and the Magic stayed ahead as Cole Anthony sank four free throws inside the final 10.9 seconds.
Harris clinched the outcome by making two free throws with three seconds left. The Indiana native, who finished with a team-high 22 points off the bench, hit a 3-pointer with 1:34 remaining in the first quarter to give him 2,000 career made field goals.
Playing the second game of a back-to-back, the Magic trailed 81-64 with 6:54 to go in the third quarter, but they ended the period on a 22-7 run to close within 88-86.
The Magic also rallied from a 16-point deficit to beat the Denver Nuggets on Dec. 1.
Wendell Carter Jr. had 19 points and a season-high 18 rebounds for Orlando. Wagner finished with 17 points and Anthony totaled 15 points, eight assists and six rebounds, while Jalen Suggs had 12 points and eight assists.
Indiana rookie Terry Taylor came off the bench for an injured Isaiah Jackson and posted 24 points and 16 rebounds for his first career double-double. Caris LeVert scored a team-high 26 points, Torrey Craig made a career-high five 3-pointers and had 22 points and Lance Stephenson added 14 points off the bench.
Taylor, who played 37 minutes in his seventh NBA game, subbed in just seconds into the first quarter after Jackson landed awkwardly defending a Carter shot attempt. Taylor’s point and rebound totals were both career-highs as well.
Jackson, who had 26 points and 10 rebounds on Monday against the Los Angeles Clippers for his first career double-double, did not return with a right ankle sprain.
Orlando’s last win over Indiana came in March 2019, ending a string of six straight losses to the Pacers.
–Field Level Media
