| ||
 |
vs. |  |
 Tinsley |
Point Guard |
 Williams |
 Rush |
Shooting Guard |
 Wade |
 Granger |
Small Forward |
 Wright |
 Dunleavy |
Power Forward |
 Haslem |
 Foster |
Center |  Blount |
 Daniels |
Sixth Man |
 Davis |
 O'Brien |
Coach |  Riley |
Pacers need strength in reserve
By Conrad Brunner | Jan. 25, 2008
Saturday, 3:30 p.m. AmericanAirlines Arena TV: FSN-Indiana Radio: WFNI 1070-AM |
In the last two games, they've been trying times for the Pacers.
A team built around its depth but thinned by injuries will need a return to form from the second unit to end this frustrating four-game road trip on a positive note in Miami Saturday afternoon. The Pacers have gotten solid productivity an average of 32 points per game from the bench throughout the season but the last two games, losses in Chicago and Milwaukee, have been problematic.
The reserves have combined to shoot 14-of-51 (.275) overall and 2-of-16 (.125) from the 3-point line in those two games.
The Bulls took control Wednesday night with a 17-0 run early in the second quarter. The Pacers climbed almost all the way back and trailed just 79-77 early in the fourth when Chicago put together a 16-6 run that sent the Bulls on the way to a 108-95 victory.
In Milwaukee Thursday night, the Bucks had a 12-0 run early in the fourth quarter to take control of the game with an 86-75 lead that led to a 104-92 decision.
Injuries have played a role. The absence of center Jermaine O'Neal, out at least one more week with a bone bruise in his left knee, thinned the frontcourt rotation. The uncertain status of point guard Jamaal Tinsley, who has sat twice in the last five with a sore left knee, including Thursday night's game, also has been a factor. The Pacers are also concerned about Kareem Rush, who tweaked his left knee when falling awkwardly to the floor Thursday in Milwaukee. Like Tinsley, he's listed as day-to-day.
The fill-ins have performed admirably. In his first career start, Travis Diener played 40 minutes and produced 15 points and a career-high nine assists in Milwaukee. Jeff Foster, who has moved into the starting lineup at center, has averaged nearly a double-double (9.6 points, 10.0 rebounds) in the last five.
But the Pacers need resurgences from key reserves Marquis Daniels and Shawne Williams, who both have slumped badly. Daniels has shot 2-of-15 and totaled four points in the last three games; Williams has shot 3-of-17 including 0-of-7 from the arc and totaled eight points in the last two.
Miami (8-33) has lost 15 in a row but is coming off a strong performance in a 90-89 loss to San Antonio Thursday night. The Heat led all but 1:12 of that game. Miami is without center Shaquille O'Neal, who has been bothered by pain and swelling in his left hip.
KEY TO THE GAME
When the Pacers take the floor, they can't see a team on a 15-game losing streak as their opposition. They must see a team less than two seasons removed from an NBA championship because the Heat just two losses away from tying the franchise record losing streak will play this one with an urgency and desperation befitting a Game 7. The Pacers must be prepared to match that intensity.
TRENDS
The Pacers are 10-5 when Mike Dunleavy scores at least 20 points. Jeff Foster has averaged 9.6 points, 10.0 rebounds and 3.6 assists while shooting .600 from the field and .818 from the free-throw line in the last five. Danny Granger has averaged 25.2 points, 6.6 rebounds, 2.8 assists and .517 shooting from the 3-point line in the last five. In the last 11, Granger has averaged 22.3 points on .500 shooting overall. The Pacers are 6-5 without Jermaine O'Neal. Kareem Rush has averaged 15.4 points on .453 shooting overall and .511 from the 3-point line in eight starts. The Pacers have averaged 93.5 points on .398 shooting in the last two. The defense has yielded at least 100 points in 10 straight games and an average of 110.5 in that span. Indiana has averaged 18.8 turnovers in the last 16 games, losing 12.
SERIES
The Pacers have won two close decisions this season. They nearly blew an 11-point lead in the final 6 minutes but held on for a 106-103 victory on Dec. 15 in Miami as Wade's 3-pointer rimmed out at the buzzer. The Pacers rallied from an 82-75 deficit with a 12-0 run in the final 4 minutes to win 85-82 on Nov. 2 in Conseco Fieldhouse. The Pacers lead the overall series 46-26 but are 15-21 in Miami.
INJURIES
Pacers - G Jamaal Tinsley (sore L knee) and G Kareem Rush (sore L knee) are day-to-day; C Jermaine O'Neal (bone bruise, L knee) is out.
Heat - C Shaquille O'Neal (L hip soreness and inflammation) and C Alonzo Mourning (R knee surgery) are out.
