Pacers shoot past Magic to take 2-1 lead

[May 03, 2012]  ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) -- Danny Granger had 26 points and nine rebounds, Roy Hibbert added 18 points and 10 rebounds, and the Indiana Pacers beat the Orlando Magic 97-74 on Wednesday night to a take a 2-1 lead in the first-round series.

The Pacers regained home-court advantage with the victory, riding good shooting early and building a 29-point lead in the fourth quarter.

They also dominated scoring underneath thanks to a 46-33 rebounding edge and have outscored the Magic 81-43 in the third quarter in the series.

Glen Davis led the Magic with 22 points, and J.J. Redick added 13. The Magic never led, struggled to get any scoring in the paint, and made a series-low five 3-pointers.

Game 4 is Saturday in Orlando.

Indiana coach Frank Vogel's implored the Pacers after each of the first two games to make better shot selections.

They finally did it in Game 3.

It translated into their best shooting of the series as the Pacers built a 23-point lead in the third quarter and led 76-55 entering the fourth.

Indiana had its way both inside and out, shooting 47 percent for the game (37 for 79) and holding a 42-22 edge on points in the paint.

Meanwhile, aside from Davis, Orlando's offense stalled at several points and the Magic connected on only 30 of their 71 attempts from the field.

Indiana led 44-38 at the half, but started the game on an offensive tear hitting nine of its first 10 shots from the field and shot 52 percent (18 for 34) for the half.

The Magic had few answers for Hill, who scored 13 points in the opening two periods.

Orlando survived the fast start, though, thanks largely to Davis' 16-point second quarter. His scoring spree featured mid-range jumpers and some baskets in the post. It all came after Davis missed all three of his shots in the first quarter.

The Pacers put the Magic in a 10-point first-quarter hole for the third straight game, jumping out to a 13-3 advantage.

Orlando missed its first five shots before Hedo Turkoglu hit a 3-pointer to finally put the Magic on the board.

NOTES: Indiana outrebounded Orlando for the third consecutive game. ... Orlando G Jason Richardson started Wednesday after jamming his left thumb in the Magic's Game 2 loss. ...About a dozen Magic fans sitting near midcourt wore homemade Davis-inspired "Baby's Crazies" t-shirts. ... Wednesday was Pacers G Paul George's birthday.

[Associated Press; By KYLE HIGHTOWER]

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