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PACERS at CHICAGO BULLS Tonight, 8:30, United Center TV: Fox Sports Indiana Radio: 1070 The Fan Injury Report presented by Ortho Indy |
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 Jim O'Brien |
Scouting Report
After blowing a 26-point first-half lead in a 94-92 home loss to Philadelphia Friday night, the Pacers found nothing but cold showers available in the locker room, which was annoying but somehow appropriate because they needed something to wake them up. That kind of dispiriting loss tests a team and the challenge now is to summon up a strong response in Chicago. Quick starts have become a trademark of this team, which averages 29.1 points in the first quarter. But they have struggled mightily to maintain that momentum. In their four losses, they've allowed 29.5 in the second, including 36 to the Sixers. The Bulls (4-5) are coming off a solid 98-91 victory over Dallas in which they overcame an early 24-5 deficit behind Ben Gordon's 35 points. With Kirk Hinrich out three months after surgery to repair a torn thumb ligament, Gordon has moved into the starting lineup.
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 Vinny Del Negro |
 T.J. Ford |
Point Guard
T.J. Ford has emerged as a primary option, averaging 17.3 points, 8.8 assists and 7.3 rebounds in the last four games but he occasionally struggles with turnovers. The matchups in the backcourt could be crossed, with Ford more likely to defend the smaller Ben Gordon and Marquis Daniels better suited for the bigger Derrick Rose. Rose has looked very good so far, averaging 18.4 points, 5.3 assists and 5.1 rebounds, though 3-point shooting (.222) has been a flaw.
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 Derrick Rose |
 Marquis Daniels |
Shooting Guard
Daniels never had a double-double prior to this season. He has three in the last seven games, averaging 15.7 points and 7.3 rebounds in that span. He's been reliably productive offensively while taking on the toughest backcourt matchup defensively. Gordon erupted against Dallas and the Bulls will need continued production from him in Hinrich's absence. He's an explosive scorer who can put up big numbers in little time.
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 Ben Gordon |
 Danny Granger |
Small Forward
Though he returned against the Sixers after missing the previous game with a thigh cramp, Danny Granger didn't quite look like himself, vanishing for long stretches but nevertheless winding up with 18 point, six rebounds and three assists. It was the first time this season he failed to reach 20. He's been a little three-happy thus far, attempting 6.6 per game and might need to re-focus his priorities on getting inside the defense and drawing fouls. Luol Deng has been a regular thorn in the Pacers' side because of his length and relentless aggression.
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 Luol Deng |
 Troy Murphy |
Power Forward
Though Murphy returned Friday but showed the effects of a stomach virus that kept him out the previous 1¾ games. The Pacers need his 3-point shooting and rebounding; they also need his minutes to keep O'Brien from having to dip deeper into a thin bench than necessary. Drew Gooden is another player that has bothered the Pacers in the past. An excellent mid-range shooter, Gooden has nights when he's remarkably effective on the boards but tends to be inconsistent in that area.
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 Drew Gooden |
 Rasho Nesterovic |
Center
Rasho Nesterovic has been a quiet rock for the Pacers. In the last two games since returning from a sprained ankle, he totaled 53 minutes, 20 points, eight rebounds, five assists and 10-of-15 shooting. But here's the most important stat. The Pacers outscored the opponents by 33 points with Nesterovic in the game but were outscored by 24 with him on the bench. A very live body up front, Joakim Noah has an unorthodox game but manages to get things done through aggression and hustle. He's a true energy player who sometimes struggles to channel that particular force.
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 Joakim Noah |
 Jarrett Jack |
Bench
Until rookies Brandon Rush and Roy Hibbert find a level of consistency, this will continue to be a trouble spot for the Pacers. Beyond the reliability of Jarrett Jack and the surprising recent productivity of Jeff Foster (13.3 points, 9.0 rebounds, 2.25 blocks in the last four games), the second unit hasn't offered up much help. Rush has shot 10-of-32 in the last five. One game after committing zero fouls in 22 minutes against the Nets, Hibbert picked up three in one minute against the Sixers. The Bulls have a fully loaded second unit, particularly so now that Larry Hughes has returned to join the passionate Andres Nocioni, athletic Thabo Sefolosha and physical Aaron Gray. They just signed veteran point guard Lindsey Hunter to provide depth behind Rose.
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 Andres Nocioni |
