[Tongue-Out-Like-23Participant]

How worried are you guys about the Pacers in the playoffs?  They can’t seem to shake the Orlando Magic and have struggled in the first half of games against the Magic.  If they’re playing the Heat and decide to only show up in the 2nd half, they’re going to be in some serious trouble.

Honestly, the only reason they aren’t down 1-2 or even 0-3 in this series is because the Orlando Magic have had terrible 3rd quarters in three games.  When you’re struggling against the worst team in the playoffs, how do you expect to beat the Heat?  Roy Hibbert is being defended by a 6’7 PF and he’s averaging 10 ppg?  You’re a damn All-Star and you’re averaging 10ppg being guarded by a guy about 7 inches shorter than you?

Let’s take a look at the stats of the last three games by quarter.

1st Quarter

• Indiana Pacers:  69 points
• Orlando Magic:  56 points

2nd Quarter

• Indiana Pacers:  61 points
• Orlando Magic:  77 points

3rd Quarter

• Indiana Pacers:  81 points
• Orlando Magic:  43 points

4th Quarter

• Indiana Pacers:  56 points
• Orlando Magic:  57 points

Not counting the 3rd quarter, the Orlando Magic are leading the Pacers by 4 points.  If the Magic didn’t come out flat in the 3rd quarter this series, they could probably have a 2-1 or 3-0 lead in this series.  Yes, the Magic without Dwight.  The same Magic that are widely considered the worst team in the playoffs.

Is anybody as worried about the Pacers as I am?  Can they beat the Heat?  Will they ever learn to use their inside advantage?

[Critically ThinkingParticipant]

 they need to start getting the ball to david west more often. Whenever I see him get the ball out by the elbow something good happens. Whether its getting into the lane drawing an extra defender, giving Hibbert more room to hit the offensive glass. Or using his bread and butter, that sweet mid range jumper that he hits just about everytime.

[Tongue-Out-Like-23Participant]

Once again, close game at half time, and a terrible 3rd quarter by the Magic.  The Pacers can beat the Heat if they continue to only play 2 or 3 quarters a game.

[festar35Participant]

You ever think it maybe the Pacers stepping up in 3rd and not the Magic struggling? If you look at the Pacers entire season you will notice that they are extremely good in the 3rd quarter. Now this has been occuring all year, not just these play-offs.

Here is proof as well http://www.eightpointsnineseconds.com/2012/04/the-pacers-are-lethal-in-the-3rd-quarter/

[BiggysmallsParticipant]

The Pacers arent good enough to beat the Heat (mostly because they arent cool enough) in a 7 game series. They may steal 1 or 2 but they simply dont have enough offense. Hibbert doesnt score that much, George isnt quite there yet in terms of offensive ability, and Granger is about as streaky as they come.

I do think you are overthinking the Pacers v Magic Series a little though, I think that 3rd quarter is probably the breaking point in all the games so far because the style that the Pacers play is so physical, that the Magic just wear down. Its a slow, methodical way of winning, which doesnt look pretty but before you know it they are up by 17 in the second half.

[steviechillzParticipant]

 the magic are making a ridiculous comeback right now…trailed by 19 in the 4th and JJ just tied it with a three

[aamir543Participant]

Damn, earlier in the series I predicted that although the Pacers would pull inout in 6, the Magic would imprbably tie it at 2 a piece and the front page of ESPN would feature a drooling Big Baby with a gleaming Ryan Anderson and JJ Redick in the right backround and a disturbed looking Dwight half-heartedly clapping in the left backround, so close, lol.

But I love the way Stan drew up the last play, the first one was a nice array of screens and picks, although I would’ve loved to see someone slip a screen and run baseline, but a beautiful play design, and the second one was perfect as well, he knew the Pacers wouldn’t leave the outside shooters and was hoping Big Baby would knock it down. He got a decent look, albiet he was falling away, but as far as last second attempts go it was a very nice play design, and don’t think these Magic are going to roll over and lose game 5, if they can get hot from three, than who knows what they can do, but it does look like this one is done, I expect the Pacers to come out with a close mentality and get some rest, because you know Miami is going to be thinking the same tommorow.

[Tongue-Out-Like-23Participant]

fester

If the Pacers just barely beat the Magic without Dwight Howard by a basket in over-time then I’m going to say it’s the Magic struggling rather than the Pacers stepping up in the 3rd.  They can’t step up for the 1st, 2nd, or 4th quarter.  I’m not going to give them the benefit of the doubt.

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