Pacers, Magic face off after recent setbacks

A pair of 2024 Eastern Conference playoff teams with designs on title contention this season meet Monday when the Orlando Magic host the Indiana Pacers.Indiana squandered a five-point lead in the final 93 seconds of regulation on Sunday, only for Tyrese Haliburton to force overtime on a 3-pointer. But poor free-throw shooting (23-of-34 from the line), sloppy play (20 turnovers) and woeful rebounding (20 offensive rebounds allowed) resulted in a 118-114 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers.It was the Pacers’ second straight defeat after losing 123-98 on Friday in New York.”Twenty offensive rebounds (allowed), that just can’t happen,” Indiana coach Rick Carlisle said Sunday. “We’re struggling at both ends. All three games, rebounding has reared its ugly head and turnovers have been an issue.”Indiana has 51 turnovers through its first three games. A season ago, the Pacers averaged 12.3 turnovers per game.Indiana led the NBA in assists last season, thanks in large part to Haliburton, who averaged an NBA-best 10.9. With just two assists on Sunday, however, Halliburton has dished only 11 in three games.Haliburton and the Pacers will look to regain their form from a season ago against the Magic, who want to rebound from their own recent loss.After opening its season with a couple of lopsided wins against the Miami Heat and Brooklyn Nets, Orlando suffered a 124-111 setback on Saturday at Memphis.