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PACERS at DENVER NUGGETS Tonight at 9:00,, Pepsi Center TV: Fox Sports Indiana Radio: 1070 The Fan Video preview | Injury Report presented by Ortho Indy |
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 Jim O'Brien |
Scouting Report
Having won two in a row to start the New Year, the Pacers (12-21) now head out on their longest road trip of the season, five games in eight nights, all against Western Conference opponents with a combined record of 97-69 (.584). Suffice to say that perfect 2009 record will be tested. Mike Dunleavy is expected to return at some point on the trip, which should provide a boost but isn't likely to solve the biggest problem: lax defense. In their last 19 games, the Pacers have allowed an average of 110.1 points. Denver (23-12) has gone 21-9 since Chauncey Billups replaced Allen Iverson in the starting lineup. They're a much better defensive team than in years past and offensively have averaged 106.2 points in the last 22 games.
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 George Karl |
 Jarrett Jack |
Point Guard
With T.J. Ford battling a variety of minor ailments, Jarrett Jack has started seven of the last nine games and fared well, averaging 18.6 points and 4.3 assists while shooting .547 overall and .500 from the 3-point line. He has struggled with turnovers (3.57 in seven starts) but overall has filled in admirably. The acquisition of Chauncey Billups may turn out to be the single most important move in the NBA this season. He has averaged 18.1 points and 6.8 assists with the Nuggets, providing the leadership, toughness, strong defense and timely scoring that have been career trademarks.
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 Chauncey Billups |
 Marquis Daniels |
Shooting Guard
It's possible Marquis Daniels' recent lull in productivity (10.8 points in the last four) is the result of wear and tear. He has averaged 22.1 minutes for his career but more than 34 this season. If he is feeling the workload, Dunleavy's impending return is particularly well-timed because of the relief it will offer. Dahntay Jones starts averages fewer than 19 minutes.
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 Dahntay Jones |
 Danny Granger |
Small Forward
This is a true marquee matchup for Danny Granger, who has averaged 29.2 points, 5.7 rebounds and 4.4 assists in his last 10 games, including 35 in Saturday's win over the Kings. Carmelo Anthony's scoring is down (21.1) but he's still an explosive threat making .425 from the 3-point line. He also contributes 7.3 rebounds and 3.4 assists, though he is turnover-prove (3.37 per game).
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 Carmelo Anthony |
 Troy Murphy |
Power Forward
With four consecutive double-doubles and 16 for the season, Troy Murphy (13.3 points, 15.3 rebounds in the last four) is having a very strong bounce-back season. He has pulled double-figures rebounds in his last nine appearances, averaging 14.1 in that span. Kenyon Martin is a stout defender who contributes 12.4 points and 6.5 rebounds. He regained his health last season and has maintained it.
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 Kenyon Martin |
 Roy Hibbert |
Center
Roy Hibbert doesn't play all that many minutes but he does make the most of them. In the last five he has averaged 11.2 points and shot 24-of-37 (.649) while averaging just 14.4 minutes. The promising young big man is coming along nicely and will take the next step once he sheds his propensity for foul trouble. The oft-injured Nene missed 155 games the previous three seasons but has come back strong with averages of 14.7 points, 7.9 rebounds and 1.47 blocked shots. With brute strength and impressive athleticism, he's a force around the basket.
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 Nene |
 T.J. Ford |
Bench
T.J. Ford can't catch a break. First he suffered a slight groin tear, then a lower-back injury. Then, while putting together a 16-point, seven-assist night against the Kings Saturday, he suffered an abdominal strain. Nonetheless he played through it and make several big plays down the stretch, including a driving three-point play that started the comeback from a 113-107 deficit in the final four minutes and a jumper that put the Pacers ahead to stay, 118-117, with a minute left. Brandon Rush has all-but disappeared, averaging 3.6 points on .286 shooting in the last five games and once again teetering on the verge of losing his minutes to Stephen Graham. The Nuggets' second unit features the streaky J.R. Smith (13.6 points).
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 J.R. Smith |
