PACERS at NEW JERSEY NETS
Wednesday, 7:30 p.m., Izod Center
TV: FSI Radio: 1070 The Fan
Injury Report presented by Ortho Indy

Jim O'Brien
Scouting Report
The Pacers beat the Nets soundly 98-80 last Wednesday night at home by holding the visitors to 29 points on 8-of-33 shooting in the second half. They'll try to extend the defensive productivity to four quarters in New Jersey. They've held opponents to 86 points and .387 shooting in their victories, but allowed 108 points and .502 shooting in their losses, so defense quite clearly is the key. While the Pacers may regain the services of starting center Rasho Nesterovic, out the last four with a sprained ankle, they won't have power forward Troy Murphy, who has been felled by a stomach virus. The Nets may again be without energizing point guard Devin Harris, who's missed the last two, both losses.
Lawrence Frank

T.J. Ford
Point Guard
T.J. Ford is coming off his best game since joining the Pacers, scoring 24 points with 10 assists and seven rebounds while dominating the closing minutes to lead a 107-99 victory over Oklahoma City. The young veteran is assuming a stronger leadership presence on the court and his play down the stretch, when he either scored or set up the Pacers' final 11 points, shows he's a guy who not only wants the ball in pressure situations, he knows what to do with it. If Harris sits, the Nets will again turn to Keyon Dooling, a journeyman who can put points on the board and has the length to cause Ford problems but isn't much of a creator.
Keyon Dooling

Marquis Daniels
Shooting Guard
Vince Carter scored 31 of the Nets' 80 points last Wednesday night, which just goes to show the load the veteran is carrying. And with Harris out, Carter also assumes the role of backup point guard. It's Marquis Daniels' job to make Carter work as hard as possible for everything he gets. Daniels has been productive in his own right, averaging 14.8 points, 6.3 rebounds and 3.0 assists and needs to maintain his aggression.
Vince Carter

Danny Granger
Small Forward
If last year was a breakout season for Danny Granger, what is this year shaping up to be? He's averaging 25.3 points and has scored at least 20 in 10 consecutive games. In the last 17 years, only Reggie Miller and Jermaine O'Neal have reached 11, so Granger could join some heady company. He has struggled from the 3-point line of late, hitting 2-of-14 in the last two games, and was 6-of-17 overall against the Nets. Bobby Simmons is a threat from the perimeter but hasn't been particularly involved in the Nets' offense thus far. He got off just five shots in 28 minutes against the Pacers, which is odd considering shooting is his greatest strength.
Bobby Simmons

Jeff Foster
Power Forward
Losing Murphy to a stomach virus hurts because the New Jersey native has been particularly effective against the Nets, averaging 15.3 points and 9.5 rebounds in six meetings since joining the Pacers. Foster won't extend the defense but he brings his usual tough defense and active rebounding. Yi Jianlian isn't a power player but can cause problems with his long-range shooting and athleticism. He was just 1-of-10 against the Pacers but followed that with 24 points, 10 rebounds and four assists against Miami.
Yi Jianlian

Rasho Nesterovic
Center
After missing four games with a sprained ankle, Nesterovic is probable to return tonight and with Murphy out, the timing couldn't be better. Nesterovic's size, strength, mid-range shooting touch and passing ability all are were missed in his absence. Josh Boone is not a true center but is very active around the basket and has caused the Pacers problems in the past.
Josh Boone

Jarrett Jack
Bench
Nesterovic's return would help stabilize things here by moving Foster back to the second unit, where his energy and experience are invaluable when teaming with rookies Brandon Rush and Roy Hibbert. Jarrett Jack has been the only consistently productive reserve. While the rookies have moments, neither has found any level of consistency. The Nets' second unit is still settling into place, with Jarvis Hayes the primary offensive weapon.
Jarvis Hayes