When the NBA schedule makers quickly reconstructed every schedule in the lockout-shortened season, they didn’t think through one important issue: Super Bowl XLVI in Indianapolis.
The Indiana Pacers (16-6) host the Orlando Magic (14-9) to Bankers Life Fieldhouse at 7 p.m. for a game before the big game.
Both teams played and won last night, Indiana over Dallas and Orlando over Cleveland. The Magic then normally would then fly into Indianapolis right after their home game. However, no hotel had enough rooms, about 40, to accommodate the entire traveling party.
The Pacers and Magic are very familiar with each other, meeting Saturday for the third time in 12 days. When Orlando played here on Jan. 24th, staff members told me the plan for them was to hold shootaround at home, and then fly to Indy immediately after.
Well, the NBA nixed that plan. They didn’t want plane or weather problems preventing the team from arriving and having a game. The NBA wanted Orlando close enough where they could bus if necessary.
So instead, the Magic flew into Cincinnati and are staying just across the border in Covington, Kentucky.
“Wake up this morning and we’re in Covington, Kentucky,” Magic forward Quentin Richardson tweeted. “Never heard of this city til we arrived here last nite. Flyin to Indy later.”
The Pacers lost to the Magic at home, but won on the road. They have won four straight and look to continue tonight. With both teams traveling late last night, the game may get off to a slow start.
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With Super Bowl in town, Magic forced to stay in Kentucky | Vigilant Sports…