The Indiana Pacers were supposed to roll past the Dwight Howard-less Orlando Magic in their Eastern Conference Quarterfinals series. But after going cold late in Game 1 and falling, 81-77, to Orlando, the Pacers find themselves in a hole.
The Magic held the Pacers scoreless for the final 4:05 of the fourth quarter, and allowed just one made basket in the final 7:54 of play, while closing on a 11-0 run. Jason Richardson and Jameer Nelson tied for the Orlando lead in points, with 17 each; Richardson made two threes during that run, and Nelson had four points in the fourth quarter.
But this game was about the Pacers' collapse, and about the struggles Indiana's star players dealt with from the field. Danny Granger's 17 points came on 7-for-20 shooting; Paul George made 4-of-11 from the floor. Roy Hibbert flirted with a triple-double -- and the NBA playoff record for blocked shots in a game -- but finished with eight points, 13 rebounds and nine blocks.
David West had 19 points to lead Indiana. Game 2 in the series will be played on Monday at 7:30 p.m. ET.
For more on the Orlando Magic, visit SB Nation's Magic blog Orlando Pinstriped Post and SB Nation Tampa Bay. For more on the Indiana Pacers, visit SB Nation's Pacers blog Indy Cornrows and SB Nation Indiana. For more on the 2012 NBA Playoffs check out SB Nation's dedicated NBA hub.
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