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PACERS at GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS Tonight at 9:00., ORACLE Arena TV: Fox Sports Indiana Radio: 1070 The Fan Injury Report presented by Ortho Indy |
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 Jim O'Brien |
Scouting Report
You'd think a team averaging 117.3 points in its last four games would be on a four-game winning streak. But if that team is the Pacers, you'd be thinking wrong. They've split those four because the defense has yielded 120.8 points and .509 shooting in that same span. In the first halves alone, the Pacers have averaged 66.3 points to their opponents' 66.5. And so along come the Golden State Warriors, who rank second in the league in scoring (105.5) while the Pacers are fourth (104.0); they also rank 30th in defense (111.5) while the Pacers are 28th (106.3). So it's perfectly reasonable to expect yet another high-scoring game even though the Warriors have been without Stephen Jackson (right hamstring) for two games and will miss starting power forward Brandan Wright at least three weeks with a partial dislocation of the left shoulder. Golden State (10-28) lost its fifth straight Saturday in Portland, 113-110.
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 Don Nelson |
 Jarrett Jack |
Point Guard
Jarrett Jack didn't make a shot in Los Angeles Friday night, going 0-for-6 but dishing eight assists. With T.J. Ford battling injuries, most recently a lower back strain, Jack has started the last eight games and 10 of 12, averaging 16.1 points, 5.0 assists, 3.4 rebounds and shooting .508 from the field and .444 from the 3-point line. The Warriors play a two-guard system rather than a point guard/shooting guard setup. Jamal Crawford is much more of a scorer than a creator but has given the Pacers many problems in the past.
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 Jamal Crawford |
 Stephen Graham |
Shooting Guard
There are few reserves in the NBA that couldn't learn from Stephen Graham when it comes to preparedness. He can sit for weeks then suddenly be pressed into the starting lineup and not miss a beat. Graham has averaged 13 points and 4.3 rebounds while shooting 16-of-30 (.533) in the last three games as Marquis Daniels has been out with a groins train. Marco Belinelli is a gifted shooter who has started to emerge as a more consistent scoring threat in recent weeks.
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 Marco Belinelli |
 Danny Granger |
Small Forward
When you reach the point that scoring 28 represents a step back, you've gotten pretty good. With that output in L.A. Friday, Granger saw his streak of consecutive 35-plus-point games snapped at three. Nonetheless, he's averaging 34.0 in the last four and 30.2 in his last 13. Don Nelson started Kelenna Azubuike last night in Portland, bringing high-scoring veteran Corey Maggette off the bench. Azubuike had a strong game, scoring 21 points, so he could remain in the lineup.
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 Kelenna Azubuike |
 Troy Murphy |
Power Forward
Troy Murphy had a season-high 24 points and a career-high six 3-pointers made against the Lakers and continues to produce, averaging 14.9 points and 12.1 rebounds in his last seven while shooting 20-of-39 (.513) from the 3-point line. Who he'll match up with is something of a mystery. In Wright's absence, Nelson started one rookie, Anthony Randolph, in the first half last night but he struggled. So another rookie, Rob Kurz, started the second half. Nelson could also choose to go small and use Maggette here.
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 Anthony Randolph |
 Roy Hibbert |
Center
Roy Hibbert held his own with the Lakers' Andrew Bynum while he was out there, scoring 11 points with three assists and a block in 15 minutes. He's starting to gain patience and improve his footwork in the low-post game, reflected in his average of 10.0 points and shooting of .593 (32-of-54) in the last eight. Andris Biedrins is quietly having a very strong season for the Warriors, averaging 14.2 points and 12.2 rebounds. He'll also block a shot or two.
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 Andris Biedrins |
 Mike Dunleavy |
Bench
With Mike Dunleavy in reserve, the Pacers have a very strong bench. In two games back, Dunleavy has totaled 44 minutes and produced 36 points, nine assists and six rebounds while shooting 14-of-26 (.558). Travis Diener has 13 assists and one turnover in the last three and is earning the closing minutes in tight games as a result. Rookie Brandon Rush continues to struggle (2.6 points, .261 shooting in the last seven). If Nelson keeps Maggette in reserve, the Warriors will have a strong offensive weapon coming off the bench. C.J. Watson is a 3-point threat and Anthony Morrow has had some explosive games.
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 Corey Maggette |
