PACERS at WASHINGTON WIZARDS
Tonight at 6:00, Verizon Center
TV: None Radio: 1070 The Fan

Jim O'Brien
Scouting Report
They've beaten three of the top four teams in the NBA. They've also lost to three of the bottom five. So it has gone for the Pacers (20-31), who are coming off a solid performance in a 107-102 victory over Orlando Friday night and now have a chance to snap their seven-game road losing streak against the NBA's worst team. The Wizards (10-40) have lost three in a row and eight of nine. Their last nine losses have all come by double figures with an average margin of 17.3. Their only healthy projected starter is Antawn Jamison and their injury list (Gilbert Arenas, Brendan Haywood, Etan Thomas, DeShawn Stevenson, Andray Blatche, Juan Dixon) is prolific. Caron Butler has missed the last two games with the flu but will be re-evaluated before tonight's game. The Pacers routed the Wizards 118-98 on Dec. 15.
Ed Tapscott

T.J. Ford
Point Guard
As his back regains strength and flexibility, T.J. Ford continues to emerge as a key producer for the Pacers. His 21-point game against Orlando was his sixth of at least 20 points in the last nine. In that span, Ford has averaged 19.6 points, 5.0 assists, 1.22 steals and shot .496. Mike James, a capable scorer and 3-point threat, has been mired in a slump. In the last 11 games, he has shot 27-of-84 (.321) from the field and 8-of-33 (.242) from the 3-point line while averaging 6.3 points.
Mike James

Jarrett Jack
Shooting Guard
Though Jarrett Jack returned to the starting lineup Friday as Jim O'Brien opted to go small, his status could depend on Butler's health. If the 6-7 Butler plays, the Pacers are more likely to go with a bigger lineup. If not, Javaris Crittenton has been filling in and is a better matchup for Jack, who has averaged 13.1 points, 4.3 assists, 3.4 rebounds and .468 shooting in 22 starts.
Caron Butler

Mike Dunleavy
Small Forward
Since Mike Dunleavy returned to the starting lineup 13 games ago, the Pacers have gone 7-6, though his statistics (15.8 points, 3.9 rebounds, .386 shooting) have been modest. Whether he'll be able to reach another level this season remains to be seen but if he can return to something comparable to last season's productivity, it would be of immense benefit to the team's playoff hopes. Dominic McGuire is the last of Washington's offensive threats but an active body inside.
Dominic McGuire

Danny Granger
Power Forward
Coming off a 33-point outing against the Magic, his highest output in nearly a month, Danny Granger now can address his recent road woes. He has averaged just 15 points, 1.7 rebounds and .341 shooting in his last three road games. The Pacers are 8-6 when he attempts at least 10 free throws, so his aggression in attacking the basket has been a season-long key. Jamison (21.2 points, 9.1 rebounds) has done a nice job of soldiering on for the Wizards and must be defended inside and out.
Antawn Jamison

Troy Murphy
Center
Emerging as more of an offensive force of late, Troy Murphy has averaged 17.3 points to go with his usual 11.3 rebounds in the last three games. He's been deadly from the 3-point line, making 20-of-37 (.541) in the last seven games, and has 27 double-doubles. Darius Songaila is a better player than his statistics (6.1 points, 2.6 rebounds) indicate and has given the Pacers problems in the past.
Darius Songaila

Roy Hibbert
Bench
Roy Hibbert's role and playing time have been all over the map thus far but it appears he's now settling in nicely as a valued reserve. In the last two games, the rookie has totaled 28 minutes, 18 points, 10 rebounds and four blocks. He also has solved his early-season free-throw problems, making 16-of-19 (.842) in his last nine games. Now, if fellow rookie Brandon Rush can continue his recent progress, the bench will have some much-needed spark. Marquis Daniels has missed the last two and three of four with back issues but Travis Diener has been solid with 25 assists against just two turnovers in his last nine. The Wizards' bench has been stressed by the rash of injuries but features Nick Young, who has averaged 19.0 points on 50 percent shooting in the last four games, and rookie JaVale McGee, who has averaged 13.0 points, 6.3 rebounds and .538 shooting in the last four.
Nick Young