NBA 2013-2014 Season Opener Recap - October 29 Scores, Results and Winners: Pacers Beat Magic by 10
The NBA 2013-2014 season kicked off last night and it was as exciting and amazing as always. Six of the most talked about teams this season were placed up against each other in an aim to start the next nine months of gaming on the right foot.
Aside from all the on court action, fans were also excited to see a number of the team's key players finally on court - the debut of Victor Oladipo for the Magic and the return of Derrick Rose for the Bulls. A number of Lakers fans and basketball watchers also wanted to see how the Mike D'Antoni-led squad would fair this year after a dismal season last year. Notably, the team also played last night without an "out indefinitely" Kobe Bryant, and the departure of center Dwight Howard.
With all the being said, here's how the games turned out at last night's NBA season opener:
Orlando Magic vs Indiana Pacers, 97-87
It was closer than expected for Indiana, as they beat the Magic 97-87. The semifinalists in last season's Finals seemed to be a little rusty as they started their first game. Orlando, who placed last in the Eastern Conference team standings last year, kept it tight scoring 26 points in the second quarter against IND's 17, to end the first half with a four point lead - 44-40.
Paul George and the Pacers, however, kept the ball rolling, initiating a 21-4 run starting in the third all the way to the fourth quarter. The streak helped them bag the W with a 10-point lead.
"We've got to win the battles, win the tough games and we've got to win the games that we should win," George told the press, reports NBA.com. "We have to take care of business early and not rely on the end of the season to start playing well and start getting a streak going. We have to start a streak early."
Victor Oladipo's debut for the Magic, in his hometown Indiana, wasn't as exciting as expected. He had 12 points in 4-11 shooting, grabbed three rebounds and dished two assists in 22 minutes of play.
Paul George scored big with 24 in 50% shooing, he also had 6 boards and 5 assists.
Pacers committed 20 turnovers, while the Magic had 13 offensive rebounds.
The Pacers will face the New Orleans Pelicans today (Oct. 30) at 8 p.m., while the Magic will go head-to-head with Minnesota Timberwolves on the same date and time.