Sports Headlines

Pacers Eliminate Magic, Win First Playoff Series Since 2005

Posted: 6:43 PM May 8, 2012
Reporter: AP

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - Danny Granger scored 25 points to help the
Indiana Pacers defeat the Orlando Magic 105-87 on Tuesday night and clinch their first-round Eastern Conference series 4-1.

Darren Collison scored 15 of his 19 points in the fourth quarter and George Hill added 15 points for the Pacers, who trailed by two at the end of the third quarter but outscored the Magic 36-16 in the final 12 minutes.

It was Indiana's first series win since 2005 and its first clincher on its home court since the first round of the 2000 playoffs. The Pacers will play Miami or New York in the second round.

Jameer Nelson led Orlando with 27 points and made 5 of 8 3-pointers. Glen Davis, a thorn in Indiana's side throughout the series, scored 15 but made just 6 of 17 shots. The Magic made just
5 of 16 shots in the fourth quarter.