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PACERS vs. ATLANTA HAWKS Tonight, 7 p.m., Conseco Fieldhouse TV: Fox Sports Indiana Radio: 1070 The Fan Video Scouting Report | Injury Report presented by Ortho Indy | Buy Tickets |
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 Jim O'Brien |
Scouting Report
Both teams are in need of a victory. The Pacers (4-5) have dropped two in a row after a three-game winning streak. The Hawks won their first six games but have lost the last three. Indiana's issues can be traced to turnovers; they've averaged 20.2 in their five losses, nearly eight more than in their victories. That's the big reason they managed to lose the last two despite holding both opponents to less than 40 percent shooting from the field. The Hawks rely heavily on the 3-point shot, leading the league in percentage (.453) while ranking second in makes (88). Four of their five starters shot at least 42 percent from the arc, led by Marvin Williams' staggering .647. Atlanta has lost four in a row in Conseco Fieldhouse. The Hawks are playing without explosive power forward Josh Smith, out with a sprained left ankle).
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 Mike Woodson |
 T.J. Ford |
Point Guard
As T.J. Ford goes, so go the Pacers. When the team wins, he averages 19.0 points, 8.0 assists, 6.0 rebounds and shoots .491. When the team loses, the numbers fall to 14.8 points, 4.8 assists, 4.4 rebounds and .414 shooting. Though Ford practiced Monday, he's listed as a game-time decision because of a sore neck.. Mike Bibby enjoyed his share of big games against the Pacers while in Sacramento. He's much more of a shooter than Ford, who makes his living attacking the basket, and is cruising along at .426 from the 3-point line – from where he's attempted nearly half his shots.
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 Mike Bibby |
 Marquis Daniels |
Shooting Guard
With a career average of 22.1 minutes heading into this season, Marquis Daniels might be expected to struggle while adjusting to his current workload of 35.3 minutes, a number inflated by Mike Dunleavy's prolonged absence. He's handled it well so far needs to be more efficient with his shot (.433 overall, .172 from the 3-point line). He faces a big-time defensive challenge in Joe Johnson, who has averaged 30.3 points on .517 shooting in the last three games and is at .434 for the season from the 3-point line.
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 Joe Johnson |
 Danny Granger |
Small Forward
After a torrid start, Danny Granger has cooled considerably, hitting 23-of-61 (.377) from the field and 7-of-27 (.259) from the 3-point line in his last four appearances. Still, his overall numbers (23.1 points, 5.5 rebounds) are strong and he'll be a handful for journeyman Maurice Evans, who's attempted half his shots (29 of 58) from the 3-point line, making 48.3 percent. Granger should make use of his size advantage and not be lulled into a jump-shooting contest.
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 Maurice Evans |
 Troy Murphy |
Power Forward
A stomach virus briefly sidetracked Troy Murphy's strong start but he bounced back with his fourth double-double of the season (12 points, 13 rebounds) in Chicago, raising his overall averages to 9.6 points and 9.0 rebounds. He's second on the team in 3-pointers attempted (69) and made (29) but may need to make better use of his 3-point threat to draw defenders to the arc, then drive past them for a higher-percentage look. Marvin Williams was known as a shooter coming out of college but this is ridiculous; he's 11-of-17 (.647) from the 3-point line, which ranks second in the league.
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 Marvin Williams |
 Rasho Nesterovic |
Center
Rasho Nesterovic has looked like the Pacers' best offensive option at times of late, making .571 from the field in the last three games while averaging 10.7 points. With Nesterovic on the floor, the Pacers have outscored their last three opponents by 35 points; when he's been on the bench, they've been outscored by 39. Al Horford is an active, aggressive young player capable of the occasional monster game but is more of a workman than a go-to player inside.
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 Al Horford |
 Jarrett Jack |
Bench
With both Murphy and Nesterovic healthy, Jeff Foster has returned to the second unit and his energy provides a much-needed lift off the bench. Jarrett Jack has been steadily productive (9.7 points) but the rookies have yet to find their stride. Brandon Rush has shot 12-of-39 (.308) in the last six games and Roy Hibbert has totaled three minutes in the last two. Atlanta's sixth man should look familiar. Flip Murray signed with the Hawks after finishing last season strongly with the Pacers and is averaging 12.9 points and 2.6 assists.
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 Flip Murray |
