Journeyman Travis Leslie’s 20 points led the Indiana Pacers to an 85-74 victory over the Orlando Magic in the Orlando Summer League opener for both teams Saturday at Amway Center.
The Pacers established a 23-16 first-quarter advantage and managed to grow their lead to 44-26 by halftime. A surge by the Magic coming out of intermission closed the gap to 64-56 at the end of three, but Indiana managed to hold serve throughout the fourth quarter and finish with the 11-point victory. The Pacers outshot the Magic 43.1 percent to 34.7 percent from the field and dominated the boards, out-rebounding Orlando by a 58-42 margin.
The 27-year-old Leslie, looking to garner a roster spot on a team that just allowed last season’s starting point guard Jeff Teague to depart via free agency, supplemented his game-high scoring total with eight rebounds and a steal while shooting 57.1 percent from the field. Iowa State product Naz Long stepped up with 16 points – including four three-pointers – along with three rebounds. Trey McKinney-Jones supplied 11 points and a trio of boards. Joe Young matched Jones’ scoring total and added six assists and a rebound, while Jarnell Stokes provided a near double-double of 10 points, nine rebounds, two assists and a game-high four blocks.
The Magic were spearheaded by a trio of 10-point efforts from Marcus Georges-Hunt, Kalin Lucas and Derrick Walton, Jr. Georges-Hunt supplemented his scoring with three rebounds, two assists and two steals, Lucas added four assists and a rebound and Walton supplied three rebounds and two assists as well. Stephen Zimmerman was efficient with nine points, three rebounds, two assists, two steals and a block in 19 minutes.
The Pacers will do battle with the Miami Heat on Sunday afternoon, while the Magic will face off with the Dallas Mavericks in the game immediately preceding.
