ORLANDO, Fla. – Desmond Bane scored 31 points, Paolo Banchero added 28 points and 12 rebounds and the Orlando Magic handed the Indiana Pacers their 12th straight loss, 135-127 on Sunday.
Anthony Black had 27 points and 10 assists for the Magic, who beat the Pacers for the second time in five days.
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Pascal Siakam led Indiana with 34 points. Aaron Nesmith had 25 points and eight assists and Andrew Nembard added 20 points and 11 assists for the Pacers, who shot 55.2 % after coming into the game with the NBA’s poorest field-goal percentage (43.8%).
Orlando shot 56% overall and made 15 of 32 3-pointers (46.9%).
Seven months after playing in the NBA Finals, the injury-depleted Pacers tied a 43-year-old franchise record with their 12th straight loss. Two of their last three losses were against the Magic, including a 112-110 decision on Dec. 31 at Indianapolis.
Bane scored nine points during a 17-0 run that wiped out an early 12-point Pacers lead.
Siakam kept Indiana in the game with a 20-point third quarter and the Pacers took a one-point lead on a couple of free throws by Nembhard with 7:29 left in the game. Bane answered with a layup, fed Banchero for a 3-pointer and the Magic held on.
Bennedict Mathurin (thumb) missed his 12th game of the season for Indiana.
Jalen Suggs (knee) missed his 13th game for Orlando.
Up next
Pacers: Play at home against Cleveland on Tuesday night.
Magic: Play at Washington on Tuesday night.
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AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba