PACERS at PHILADELPHIA 76ERS
Tonight at 7:30, Wachovia Center
TV: Fox Sports Indiana Radio: 1070 The Fan
Injury Report presented by Ortho Indy

Jim O'Brien
Scouting Report
Remember that small lineup that scrambled the game, put the Pacers on their heels and brought the Sixers all the way back from a 26-point deficit to a 94-92 victory on Nov. 14? That's Philly's full-time group now, albeit not altogether by choice. With Elton Brand out for a month due to a right shoulder dislocation, the Sixers have gone small. They've also gone 3-0 under interim coach Tony DiLeo, who replaced Mo Cheeks on Dec. 13, including a 109-103 decision in Washington Friday night. With so many players ailing – starters Danny Granger, Marquis Daniels and Troy Murphy spent Friday night in the hospital with viral infections – the Pacers (9-17) aren't sure who they'll have available but it's certain they'll be at substantially less than full strength once again.
Tony DiLeo

Jarrett Jack
Point Guard
With T.J. Ford dealing with a strained groin, Jarrett Jack moved into the lineup the past two games and racked up 51 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds while shooting 17-of-32 (.531) from the field. Of course, he also had the critical lapse in judgment that cost the Pacers a chance to win in the first overtime when he rushed the ball upcourt and forced a shot in traffic that was blocked rather than setting up a play and running down the clock for a potential game-winner. Ford could return to the lineup but he played 39 minutes Friday and it's uncertain how the injury will respond. Andre Miller (15.2 points, 5.9 assists) is the Sixers' stabilizer who hurt the Pacers for 19 points in the first meeting.
Andre Miller

Brandon Rush
Shooting Guard
Being force-fed into the starting lineup has produced decidedly mixed results for Brandon Rush. While he has averaged 12.0 points and 9.0 rebounds in the last two, his shot has disappeared. He's 9-of-39 (.231) overall and 3-of-15 (.200) from the arc. Even at full strength, the Pacers need the offensive boost Rush can provide. When shorthanded, production from the team's best athlete becomes mandatory. Willie Green can put big numbers up in small minutes but is a defensive liability.
Willie Green

Stephen Graham
Small Forward
Stephen Graham has been so productive in limited playing time it must've been a shock to his system to be starting Friday. Whatever the cause, he wasn't effective and played just 21 minutes. His primary responsibility tonight will be keeping a body on Andre Iguodala (14.5 points, 6.7 rebounds, 5.0 assists), who should regain his place of prominence in the Philly offense in Brand's absence.
Andre Iguodala

Jeff Foster
Power Forward
In seven starts, Jeff Foster has averaged 9.3 points and 7.6 rebounds and the Pacers have gone 4-3. He also has pulled 11 rebounds in each of the last three games. Though athletic for a big man, he'll face a challenge to contend with the versatile Thaddeus Young, who torched the Pacers for 25 points and 10 rebounds and sparked the Sixers' monumental comeback in November.
Thaddeus Young

Roy Hibbert
Center
Roy Hibbert had what the Pacers hope was a breakthrough game against the Clippers, racking up 16 points, eight rebounds, five blocks – and just two fouls – in 23 minutes. His length and strength are just what the Pacers need against Samuel Dalembert (5.8 points, 8.2 rebounds), who has the quickness and bounce around the basket to change the game.
Samuel Dalembert

T.J. Ford
Bench
Ford was only supposed to play a couple of short bursts of minutes against the Clippers but wound up totaling 39 and producing 17 points and six assists. Whether that was a sign he's ready to return to the starting lineup or an aggravation to the strained groin that kept him out of Wednesday's game remains to be seen. Rasho Nesterovic has certainly adapted to bench life nicely, averaging 13.3 points and 4.3 rebounds while shooting .655 in the last three. The Pacers' bench has become a force of late, averaging 37.0 points and outscoring opponents by an average of 24.7 in the last three games, including 43-5 last night. The Sixers counter with Lou Williams, who has set career highs of 25, then 26 points in his last two games and has averaged 18.9 in his last seven. A mystery has been the lack of time for ex-Pacer Kareem Rush, who has appeared in just 15 games. He was at the back of Cheeks' rotation; DiLeo may find more use for his 3-point shooting.
Lou Williams