NBA: Desmond Bane, Magic send Pacers to 12th straight loss

Powered by a dominant second quarter and 31 points from Desmond Bane, the Orlando Magic handed the visiting Indiana Pacers a record-tying 12th consecutive loss with a 135-127 victory on Sunday afternoon.

Indiana matched three previous 12-game losing streaks in franchise history, the last occurring during the 1988-89 season. The Pacers have a chance to break the dubious record on Tuesday when they host the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Paolo Banchero led Orlando with 28 points, while Anthony Black contributed 27. The Magic have alternated wins and losses over their last 10 games. Orlando was effective at the free-throw line, converting 26 of 34 attempts, while Indiana made 16 of 21.

Pascal Siakam posted a game-high 34 points for the Pacers, and Aaron Nesmith added 25.

Orlando trailed 41-29 early in the second quarter before all the momentum swung in the Magic’s favor. Bane sparked a 17-0 Orlando run with an elbow jumper and two free throws. Tyus Jones hit a 3-pointer to give the Magic a 43-41 lead, and Bane capped the run with a 34-foot three-pointer.

Orlando outscored Indiana 41-22 in the second quarter, building a lead of up to 13 points and entering halftime ahead 69-58.

Indiana started the second half strong, making its first nine shots—most of them layups—and closed within 95-92 on Siakam’s three-pointer with 3:59 left in the third. Siakam scored 20 points in the quarter, but Orlando responded with a late three-point play from Bane to lead 107-100 after three.

The Pacers briefly regained the lead at 116-115 on a pair of Andrew Nembhard free throws with 7:29 remaining. However, Orlando answered with a 9-0 run, including threes from Banchero and Black. Indiana closed to 130-127, but Tristan da Silva sank a three-pointer from the wing with 1:10 left to put the game out of reach. Indiana missed three consecutive 3-point attempts in the final possessions.

The first quarter had been dominated by the Pacers. Nesmith’s early shooting, including two threes in the first four minutes, helped Indiana build a 13-5 lead. Jay Huff added a reverse layup with 1.5 seconds left in the first quarter, giving the Pacers a 36-28 advantage after one.

Indiana coach Rick Carlisle remains at 999 career NBA victories. The Pacers fielded their 20th different starting lineup on Sunday, the most of any team in the league.

—Field Level Media/Reuters