| ||
 |
vs. |  |
 Tinsley |
Point Guard |
 Billups |
 Rush |
Shooting Guard |
 Hamilton |
 Granger |
Small Forward |
 Prince |
 Dunleavy |
Power Forward |
 McDyess |
 Murphy |
Center |  Wallace |
 O'Brien |
Coach |  Saunders |
Pacers hope to sharpen homecourt edge
By Conrad Brunner | Jan. 29, 2008
Tonight, 7 p.m. Conseco Fieldhouse TV: FSN-Indiana Radio: WFNI 1070-AM |
The point is, the rest of the season begins Tuesday when the Pacers open a four-game homestand against the Pistons in Conseco Fieldhouse.
"Hopefully, we can get some fans to come out and support us and get some good crowds and get that sixth man that we need," said Travis Diener. "We've got a tough schedule coming up. The teams coming in here aren't cupcakes but we've played good against the good competition so hopefully we come out with our A-game and can win some games at home. With all the losing that's happened lately, we're still in the eighth spot, we're still in the playoffs, the season's not over. We've got a long time to go and we've just got to keep grinding away and try to make a run."
The standings show seven teams competing for the final two playoff berths in the East separated by just 3.5 games.
With 10 of their next 13 at home, the Pacers have an opportunity to reverse their slide and begin a climb back up the ladder.
"I think we've had one of the toughest schedules in that we've played a lot of road games. Now we have 10 of our next 13 here so we should be able to get back on track. We haven't been as good as we should be at home so we have to do a better job of defending our homecourt," said Danny Granger. "It's amazing we still are in eighth place because we haven't been playing good basketball lately but it is the truth of the matter so we are in the playoffs. We've just got to try to get a better seed than eighth. You definitely don't want Boston in the first round."
Not that getting Detroit would be much better. The Pistons not only have a track record of postseason success, they've handled the Pacers twice already this season. At least one prominent Pacers player believes this is no time to begin thinking of such things.
"I think it's too early to worry about that stuff," said Mike Dunleavy. "We've got so much more on our shoulders. It's about being a better basketball team and getting the things down that the coaching staff wants of us so we can be a better team. The playoffs and that sort of stuff will fall in line when you start doing those things. People can look at the playoff race right now or whatever but this time last year (the Pacers were 23-21 on Jan. 29. 2007) we were probably talking about homecourt advantage or something like that so we know it doesn't matter right now."
KEY TO THE GAME
The Pacers' bench has struggled of late but must return to form against Detroit because the Pistons' reserves were difference-makers in their two victories over Indiana this season. Jarvis Hayes, who averages 6.5 points, totaled 20 points on 8-of-10 shooting (4-of-5 from the 3-point line); Rodney Stuckey, who averages 4.1 points, totaled 19; and Jason Maxiell, who averages 8.5 points, also totaled 19. Detroit's starting lineup is perhaps the most talented in the NBA one through five, so the only vulnerability to attempt to exploit is the bench. The Pistons' second unit has been struggling of late, averaging just 15.2 points in the last six games and Hayes has slumped to 9-of-40 shooting overall and 1-of-14 from 3-point range in the last eight.
TRENDS
The Pacers open a four-game homestand against teams (Detroit, Houston, Orlando, San Antonio) that entered the week with a combined record of 111-65. Indiana has lost three in a row and 13 of 17. The offense has failed to reach 100 points in three straight games for the first time this season, averaging 94.3 on .411 shooting overall and .326 from the 3-point line in that span. Jermaine O'Neal has missed five in a row and 12 overall (the Pacers are 6-6). Jeff Foster has shot 22-of-33 (.667) from the field in his last eight. Mike Dunleavy has averaged 23.5 points, 6.0 rebounds and 4.0 assists while shooting .560 in the last two. Travis Diener has averaged 11.0 points and 4.7 assists while shooting .367 overall and .353 from the arc in the last three. Marquis Daniels has totaled eight points on 4-of-19 shooting in his last four appearances and has missed 15 of 16 from the 3-point line in his last 17.
SERIES
The Pistons won back-to-back meetings this season, 114-101 on Dec. 28 at The Palace of Auburn Hills and 98-92 on Dec. 29 at Conseco Fieldhouse. Detroit leads the overall series 78-70 but the Pacers are 44-30 at home.
INJURIES
Pacers - G Kareem Rush (sore L knee) is day-to-day; G Jamaal Tinsley (sore L knee) is doubtful; C Jermaine O'Neal (bone bruise, L knee) is out.
Pistons - None reported.
