Lance Scores 21 in Summer League Debut

The Indiana Pacers are trying to find out if Brooklyn’s Lance Stephenson can run the point for them.

So far, so good.

The 6-foot-5 rookie out of Cincinnati scored 21 points, adding four rebounds and three assists, to spark the Pacers to an 86-77 victory over the host Magic Monday in the Orlando Pro Summer League.

Indiana faces the Nets and No. 3 overall pick Derrick Favors at 7 p.m. Tuesday.

“We were very pleased with what Lance did at both ends of the court,” said assistant coach Frank Vogel. “We know he can score the basketball but he had a lot of very nice passes. He only had three assists but he probably set up his teammates seven or eight times. And defensively he did a nice job.”

Pacers coach Jim O’Brien previously told the Indianapolis Star the team was auditioning Stephenson at the point.

“In order to be the type of offensive player we would like for him to be, he’s got to think score first, and when that’s taken away make the appropriate pass,” O’Brien said. “I think he has the ability to do that and we’re going to find out this week whether we should grow his game more at the point or more at the [shooting guard position], or a combination of both of them.”

Stephenson is expected to sign a contract next week worth the rookie minimum of $473,604.

First-round pick Paul George had 12 points and four rebounds in his debut but shot 2-of-7 overall, 1-of-5 from the 3-point line and had six fouls and three turnovers. Second-round pickup Magnum Rolle had 13 points and five rebounds but like George had six fouls.

(Photo courtesy The Indy Star)

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