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PACERS vs. SACRAMENTO KINGS Tonight at 6:00, Conseco Fieldhouse TV: None Radio: 1070 The Fan Video preview | Injury Report presented by Ortho Indy | Buy Tickets |
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 Jim O'Brien |
Scouting Report
The Pacers' only home appearance before leaving on the longest road trip of the season – five games in eight nights – comes a little earlier than expected. When the Colts' NFL playoff game in San Diego was scheduled for 8:30 tonight, the Pacers got permission from the league and the Kings to shift the start time to 6 p.m. (from 7). Coming off a 105-103 victory in New York Friday night, their seventh straight down-to-the-wire finish, the Pacers (11-21) face a Sacramento team riding a nine-game road losing streak. The Kings (8-25 overall, 2-14 on the road) haven't won on the road since Nov. 19, including a 98-92 loss in Detroit Friday night. They're 2-7 since Kenny Natt (who played 19 games with the Pacers in 1980) took over when Reggie Theus and top assistant Chuck Person were fired.
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 Kenny Natt |
 Jarrett Jack |
Point Guard
Even if T.J. Ford was completely healthy it would be difficult to wrest the starting job out of the hands of Jarrett Jack, who took over down the stretch, scoring the Pacers' final six points including the game winner with nine-tenths of a second remaining Friday night. Jack has averaged 19.5 points, 4.3 assists and 3.0 rebounds while shooting .545 overall and .450 from the 3-point line in six starts; in the last two games he has racked up 51 points on 18-of-32 shooting. Though he has a propensity for the ill-timed turnover, he showed in New York he can also make the big shot. The Kings start Beno Udrih, a solid shooter who averages 11.3 points and 4.8 assists.
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 Beno Udrih |
 Marquis Daniels |
Shooting Guard
Since posting a season-high 28 points in Memphis, Marquis Daniels has totaled 31 in three games, going 13-of-35 from the field. It could be the strain of playing the toughest wing matchup every night is beginning to take its toll, or it could just be a lull in productivity. Francisco Garcia has been struggling of late, totaling 12 points on 4-of-19 shooting in the last three games. He's likely to remain in the lineup at least one more game before leading scorer Kevin Martin regains his normal place.
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 Francisco Garcia |
 Danny Granger |
Small Forward
Danny Granger enjoyed a rare night when he didn't have to carry the team down the stretch Friday but still was productive, totaling 20 points on 10 shots (and 10 free throws) against the Knicks. He has averaged 28.6 points, 5.7 rebounds and 4.4 assists and 9.7 free-throw attempts in his last nine games. The Kings' John Salmons is an aggressive defender who's having the best offensive season of his career, averaging 19.6 points, 3.7 rebounds and 3.2 assists.
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 John Salmons |
 Troy Murphy |
Power Forward
Aside from a couple of brain fades – three quick turnovers in the opening minutes and the foul on Wilson Chandler that allowed the Knicks to tie it with 12 seconds left – Troy Murphy played another impeccable game in New York, totaling 15 points and 18 rebounds. It was his third straight double-double and eighth consecutive double-figures rebounding game; he's averaging 14.3 in that span. Journeyman Mikki Moore has not been involved in the Kings' offense much this season but is a capable rebounder and defender.
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 Mikki Moore |
 Roy Hibbert |
Center
With three double-figures scoring games in the last four, Roy Hibbert has demonstrated his ability to be an effective low-post scorer but until he can avoid foul trouble and therefore play longer minutes, his impact on the game will be limited to the opening minutes of the first and third periods. Brad Miller has racked up 40 points and 29 rebounds in the Kings' last two games and will require the full attention of the Pacers' interior defenders.
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 Brad Miller |
 T.J. Ford |
Bench
After a brief run of productivity, the bench has once again become an issue, outscored 150-94 in the last four games including 45-16 by the Knicks. Ford is still working through a lower back injury and has shot 3-of-17 in the last two. Brandon Rush is still working through being a rookie and has totaled 18 points on 6-of-19 shooting in the last four. The Kings have the luxury of bringing their top scorer off the bench for at least one more game. Martin missed 10 with an ankle injury but has come off the bench in two since returning, totaling 40 points but shooting 9-of-29. Sacramento also relies on forward Jason Thompson and veteran point guard Bobby Jackson.
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 Kevin Martin |
