| ||
 |
vs. |  |
 Tinsley |
Point Guard |
 Udrih |
 Rush |
Shooting Guard |
 Salmons |
 Granger |
Small Forward |
 Garcia |
 Dunleavy |
Power Forward |
 Moore |
 Murphy |
Center |  Miller |
 Daniels |
Sixth Man |
 Martin |
 O'Brien |
Coach |  Theus |
Pacers brace for healthy Kings
By Conrad Brunner | Updated Jan. 19, 2008
Tonight, 7 p.m. Conseco Fieldhouse TV: FSN-Indiana Radio: WFNI 1070-AM |
"With those two and Martin you have a lot of players that can score on their team," said Coach Jim O'Brien. "I assume they'll try to use Artest in post-ups as well as isolation situations and you have to worry about Bibby at all times. He was out all year and then he comes back the other night and was 4-for-7 from the three. It's a challenge."
The Pacers may be without big man Jermaine O'Neal, who missed practices Thursday and Friday after playing just 9 minutes in Wednesday's 125-117 victory over Golden State with swelling in his left knee. He's listed as doubtful. Jamaal Tinsley is expected back in the lineup after missing Wednesday's game.
O'Neal sat out five games in a row in late November with the same problem and it was hoped that extended absence would allow the knee to heal for the long term. It hasn't worked out that way.
"My understanding of the situation is that if we were to sit him out for an extended period of time during this season, when he came back he'd be in the same situation as he is right now – you don't know if he'd be able to practice, you don't know if he'd be able to play back-to-back games," O'Brien said. "So somebody that has more knowledge medically than I do would have to tell me there'd be a benefit to sit him out (for an extended period) and right now I'm told there is not."
Artest missed nine games after surgery to remove bone chips from his right elbow and Bibby had been out since October surgery on a torn ligament in his left thumb. Both veteran stars returned Wednesday but the Kings lost 116-91 in Toronto, playing 29 minutes each off the bench. Bibby scored 19 points, Artest four.
The Kings (16-22) snapped a three-game road losing streak with a 100-93 victory in Detroit Friday night as Martin, Bibby and Artest combined for 58 points off the bench.
KEY TO THE GAME
Assuming O'Neal does not play, the Pacers will lack their last line of defense and therefore be even more challenged to deter dribble penetration from the Kings' gifted perimeter players. Offensively, it will be a test of wills to see which coach opts to match up to the other's preferred style of play. Last time, the Kings' Reggie Theus opted to match up with the Pacers' small lineup.
TRENDS
Marquis Daniels has averaged 10 points on .625 shooting in the last three but has missed 13 of 14 attempts from the 3-point line in his last 13. … Diener has averaged 11 points in the last four but has shot 3-of-17 overall in the last two. … Mike Dunleavy has averaged 21.7 points, 8.3 rebounds, 4.0 assists and .512 shooting in the last three. … Danny Granger has averaged 21.1 points, 7.6 rebounds, .500 shooting overall and .472 from the 3-point line in the last seven. … Kareem Rush has averaged 12.3 points and shot .455 from the 3-point line in starting the last four. … Shawne Williams has averaged 11.8 points, 4.0 rebounds and .531 shooting in the last four. … The offense has averaged 114.8 points in four games since the switch to the small lineup. … The Pacers have committed 47 turnovers in the last two games. … The bench has outscored opponents 100-61 in the last two victories, and 169-123 in the last four overall.
SERIES
Travis Diener scored 19 off the bench as the Pacers beat the Kings 111-105 in Sacramento on Jan. 12. Mike Dunleavy scored 23. The Pacers lead the overall series 36-31 and are 23-10 at home.
INJURIES
Pacers - G Jamaal Tinsley (sore L knee) and G Travis Diener (sprained R ankle) are probable; F-C Jermaine O'Neal (sore L knee) is doubtful; C David Harrison (NBA suspension) is out.
Kings - F Shareef Abdur-Rahim (right knee surgery) is out.
