Candace Buckner

candace.buckner@indystar.com

Pacers at Mavericks%2C 7%3A30 p.m. Sunday

The Indiana Pacers built an early double-digit lead but over time, the Orlando Magic clawed back for the 96-93 win.

STUCKEY EASING IN

What happened to the legend of Rodney, The Chucker? Rodney Stuckey started his second preseason game at the shooting guard position and once again exercised temperance when it came to creating offense.

"Just getting acclimated to everything, understanding each other's skills, figuring out the system and stuff like that," Stuckey explained. "It's going to take time."

Last year in Detroit, though Stuckey was a reserve player, he ranked among the league leaders in the highest percentage of touches ending in shots, free throws or turnovers (47.38 percent). However during his debut games with the Pacers, Stuckey has not stood out in the offense.

On Friday, Stuckey played 25 minutes but attempted only seven shots — the same amount from Tuesday's contest against the Minnesota Timberwolves. This was not lost on Stuckey.

"I think once the regular season comes, I'm going to have more shot attempts," said Stuckey, who then smiled and said the words you'd expect from a man with a reputation as his: "Forget that! Seven's not enough!"

Through the first half, Stuckey's only highlight was his brief face-to-face confrontation with Magic point guard Evan Fournier after a foul call. Nearly four minutes had expired in the third quarter for Stuckey to get his first free throws. Even so, Stuckey remained aggressive through the quarter and went to the line another time and made all four of his free throws. Also, Stuckey contributed in other ways. Besides scoring 10 points (3-of-7), Stuckey finished with four rebounds and two steals.

3-POINT SHOOTING

The Pacers' perimeter shooting picked up, as four players combined to make nine 3-pointers — a marked improvement from Tuesday night when Indiana hit only 4-of-16. Rookie Damjan Rudez had one of the most pumped-up reactions to a preseason 3-pointer you'll find. In the fourth quarter, Rudez knocked down a 3 in front of the Orlando bench to trim the Pacers' deficit to 84-81. Then he pumped his fist and roared "Let's Go!" while running back down court. That shot wasn't just a timely make in a close game — it was Rudez's first 3-pointer as a Pacer.

GAME RECAP

FIRST QUARTER

SCORE: Indiana 27-18

NOTABLE

Lavoy Allen started in place of David West at the power forward position and created a formidable front line with Roy Hibbert. The two bigs combined for 5-for-8 from the field for 14 points, with Hibbert scoring 10. Looking comfortable on both ends, Hibbert also blocked two shots and knocked down two mid-range jumpers. However, CJ Miles led the team with 11 points. With his athletic matchup, Magic rookie Aaron Gordon, benched with three quick fouls, Miles performed as a steady offensive option. He made 3-of-5 shots — including a pair from beyond the arc.

"I just wanted to pick my spots and figure out ways to be myself within what we are trying to do," Miles said. "I didn't want to force anything. Guys have really helped out by looking for me."

SECOND QUARTER

SCORE: Magic 47-46

NOTABLE

Five new players started the quarter, including Chris Copeland and Ian Mahinmi who missed the Pacers' first preseason game against Minnesota with various ailments. Their legs might have been fresh, but everything else seemed a bit rusty. Copeland missed all four of his shot attempts — as did Luis Scola — and overall, the second unit hit just 2-of-12 for the quarter. However, when George Hill checked in for the final 5:35, he again picked up the slack. On Tuesday, Hill stayed on the floor to start the second quarter and played as the Pacers' first option. On Friday, he returned to that role — making three shots and nine points in that short stretch. The Magic, however, had more scoring balance in hitting 59.1 percent and overcoming a nine-point deficit.

THIRD QUARTER

SCORE: Magic 69-67

NOTABLE

The Pacers fell behind 11 in the quarter while Hill, Stuckey and Allen remained on the court as starters. Without Hibbert alongside him, Allen stepped up his interior presence for six points on six shot attempts. Allen made half of the team's shots as the Pacers hit only 30 percent from the floor.

"I felt OK up until the second half, when I went into the fourth quarter," Allen said after the game. "That's when I struggled a little bit. As the preseason goes on, I will get in better shape, playing more at the four. I think I'll be OK. I think I'm doing OK so far."

FOURTH QUARTER

SCORE: 96-93

NOTABLE

When the regular season starts, Donald Sloan will be the third option at point guard. However on Friday, Sloan finished as the team-high scorer with 16 points, which goes to show that this was a game meant for the reserves. While decent ball movement appeared early in the game, the latter part was muddled by missed shots. With Sloan, Rudez, Copeland and Solomon Hill playing the entire quarter, the Pacers made 9-of-19 shots but overall, finished at a 38.3 percent clip from the floor.

"We tried a lot of different combinations and a lot of what we do will be a work in progress," Pacers coach Frank Vogel said. "There were a lot of guys getting their first look. You just learn and teach."

Follow Star reporter Candace Buckner on Twitter: @CandaceDBuckner.

Pacers at Mavericks, 7:30 p.m. Sunday