Collison drops 23 assists during series (no turnovers) in Pacers win, first in playoffs since John Stockton
From Elias: Darren Collison did not start a game for the Pacers in their just-concluded series win over the Magic, but he contributed 23 assists and only one turnover. The last player with 23 or more assists and no more than one turnover in a postseason series was John Paxson for the Bulls against the 76ers in the second round in 1990 (26 assists, 1 turnover).
(Source: ESPN)
Magic lose second straight to Pacers
From Elias: The Magic lost to the Pacers on Wednesday night, 97-74, after they were defeated two nights earlier by Indiana, 93-78. Orlando is the first NBA team in seven seasons to allow more than 90 points and score fewer than 80 points in each of back-to-back playoff games. That had last been done by the Spurs in the 2005 Finals. San Antonio lost Game 3 of that series to the Pistons, 96-79, and then Game 4 by a 102-71 score, but still won the NBA title in a seven-game series.
(Source: ESPN)
Richardson’s threes save Magic, continues hottest playoff three-point shooter
From Elias: Jason Richardson hit a pair of three-point field goals late in the fourth quarter, including the go-ahead basket with 1:04 remaining, as the Magic scored the game’s last 11 points in its 81-77 win over the Pacers in Indianapolis. This is only the fourth time in Richardson’s 11-year career that he has appeared in the playoffs, but he has hit 90 three-pointers in his 33 playoff games. That average of 2.73 three-point field-goals per game is the highest for any NBA player who has appeared in at least 25 playoff games since the league instituted the three-point rule in 1979.
Redick and Anderson help Magic beat Bobcats
From Elias: J.J. Redick scored a career-high 31 points and Ryan Anderson grabbed 13 rebounds as the Magic disposed of the hapless Bobcats. Anderson leads Orlando in both points per game (15.9 PPG) and rebounds per game (9.0 REB/G) over the club’s last nine games, all without Dwight Howard.
(Source: ESPN)
Anderson fills in for Howard nicely
From Elias: Ryan Anderson registered 26 points and 16 rebounds to help lead the Magic to a victory over the 76ers on Monday night. Anderson is the first Orlando player not named Dwight Howard to record 25-or-more points and 15-or-more rebounds in the same game since Drew Gooden had 26 points and 16 rebounds against Milwaukee on March 5, 2003. Howard did that 67 times during the regular season between Gooden and Anderson’s performances.
(Source: ESPN)
