| ||
 |
vs. |  |
 A. Owens |
Point Guard |
 D. Williams |
 M. Dunleavy |
Shooting Guard |
 R. Brewer |
 D. Granger |
Small Forward |
 C. Miles |
 J. ONeal |
Power Forward |
 C. Boozer |
 T. Murphy |
Center |  M. Okur |
 M. Daniels |
Sixth Man |
 K. Korver |
 J. O'Brien |
Coach |  J. Sloan |
Pacers hope Jazz can spark another surge
By Conrad Brunner | Updated Jan. 8, 2008
Tonight, 9 p.m. EnergySolutions Arena TV: FSN-Indiana Radio: WFNI 1070-AM |
And then the Pacers beat the Jazz by 20 points, 117-97, to launch a sudden and stunning upsurge that brought 12 victories in 19 games, including wins over the Mavericks, Hornets, Nuggets and Magic, to improve the record to 15-13.
With another game against Utah looming tonight, the Pacers have dropped six of seven, including five straight on the road, one of their best players (Jamaal Tinsley) is limping and the schedule offers no sign of relief. So is it time for another unexpected turnaround?
"I think we'll (surge) again," said Coach Jim O'Brien. "Our team is grinding out the way we play. We don't always play what is the best way for us. We don't always run, we don't always move, we turn the basketball over sometimes too much. We don't always adhere strictly to our defensive principles. When we do, we're a pretty good basketball team. When we don't, we lose.
"I think we're pretty much where I expected us to be. It takes some time with a new coach and a completely new system to get consistent."
The Pacers (16-19) opened their current five-game Western Conference road trip with a 112-96 loss Sunday to the Lakers. They've lost four of five in Tinsley's absence due to a sore right hamstring and the offense has suffered, averaging 95.2 points, .416 shooting, 18.2 assists, 18.4 turnovers and 11.0 fast-break points. The season averages are 102.8 points, .441 shooting, 23.1 assists, 16.0 turnovers and 14.1 fast-break points.
O'Brien said before Sunday's game Tinsley would not be able to return from the inactive list until he was able to practice and show he could perform at least "at an 85 percent level." Tinsley went through the team's practice Monday in Salt Lake City but his status remains day-to-day. Andre Owens has filled in as the starter and shot the 3-pointer well (12-of-20) but totaled just 11 assists in five games.
In their slide, the Pacers have dropped from fourth in the Eastern Conference to ninth but trail the current fourth-place team, Washington, by just 2½ games.
"We're coming up on the 40-game mark which is half the season, just about," said O'Neal. "You don't want to get into a situation where you've got to fight the last few weeks to get into the playoffs."
Utah (18-17) has struggled after a 13-5 start, losing 12 of 17. The Jazz recently acquired long-range sharpshooter Kyle Korver from Philadelphia in exchange for Gordan Giricek, but starting small forward Andrei Kirilenko missed the last game, a 103-89 loss to Portland, with lower back inflammation and is doubtful for tonight.
KEY TO THE GAME
Deron Williams was a non-factor in the Pacers' 20-point win on Nov. 17, totaling eight points and six assists. He averaged 17.0 points and shot 60 percent in two Utah victories over Indiana last season so odds are he'll be up for the rematch. Assuming Andre Owens remains in the starting lineup, the former Utah backup will have a major defensive challenge on his hands.
TRENDS
Owens has averaged 10.0 points and 2.2 assists while shooting 12-of-20 (.600) on 3-point shots and 3-of-16 (.188) inside the arc in starting the last five games. O'Neal has averaged 9.3 points, 5.3 rebounds and .371 shooting (13-of-35) in the last three. Troy Murphy has averaged 12.7 rebounds in the last three but is 7-of-24 (.292) from the field. Danny Granger has averaged 12.0 points on .407 shooting overall and 4-of-20 (.200) from the 3-point line in the five-game road losing streak. Mike Dunleavy has totaled 40 points, 17 rebounds and 8-of-13 shooting from the 3-point line in the last two. Marquis Daniels has shot .358 (19-of-53) overall and 0-of-8 from the 3-point line while averaging 6.6 points in his last eight. The Pacers have outrebounded their last five opponents 243-209.
SERIES
The Pacers won 117-97 on Nov. 17 at Conseco Fieldhouse as Dunleavy scored 25, marking the eighth Indiana victory in the last 10 meetings. Overall, the Pacers lead the series 34-32 but are 9-18 in Utah.
INJURIES
Pacers - G-F Marquis Daniels (sore right shoulder) and G Jamaal Tinsley (sore left hamstring) is day-to-day.
Jazz - F Andre Kirilenko (lower back inflammation) is doubtful.
