Magic handedl 1st loss inside bubble after falling to T.J. Warren, Pacers

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (AP) — T.J. Warren scored 32 points, tying Jermaine O’Neal’s franchise record for most in a three-game span, to send the Indiana Pacers past the Orlando Magic 120-109 on Tuesday for their third consecutive victory.

Warren has topped the 30-point mark in each game at Walt Disney World, starting with his 53-point outburst in the opener. He has 119 points in the restart.

Myles Turner added 21 points for the Pacers.

Nikola Vucevic had 24 points and 10 rebounds for the Magic, whose season-best, five-game winning streak ended. Aaron Gordon added 20 points for Orlando, trying to claim its second straight playoff appearance for the first time since a six-year run ended in 2011-12.

The Magic never had a chance Tuesday, though.

Warren again proved to be the catalyst as the Pacers scored the first 10 points and needed less than five minutes to take a 17-3 lead. They made it 43-20 after one and led by as much as 26 before Orlando righted itself in the second half.

The Magic opened the third quarter with eight straight points and eventually cut the deficit to 78-66 after back-to-back baskets from Vucevic. But Indiana responded with a 10-2 spurt to make it 88-68 and Orlando couldn’t get closer than 12 until the final minute.

TIP-INS

Magic: Have been swept by the Pacers in three of the last four seasons. … The Magic fell to 6-2 all-time on neutral courts. … Orlando played its first game in the bubble without Jonathan Isaac (torn left ACL). … Gordon also had seven rebounds and three assists. … Terrence Ross had 20 points, James Ennis III had 12 and Markelle Fultz finished with 10. … The game also marked the end of a franchise-record, five-game streak of scoring 120 or more points.

Pacers: Indiana had a season-high scoring total in the first quarter and a season-best 71 points in the first half. … Warren has scored at least 20 points in four of the last six halves. … Turner and Warren each made four 3-pointers. Turner had six rebounds. … Victor Oladipo scored 13 points while Malcolm Brogdon, Aaron Holiday and T.J. McConnell each had 12 points. … The Pacers finished with 29 assists, seven turnovers and two offensive rebounds.

UP NEXT

Magic: Play their only back-to-back in the bubble Wednesday against Toronto.

Pacers: Face Phoenix on Thursday, seeking a third consecutive season sweep.