| ||
 |
vs. |  |
 Diener |
Point Guard |
 Arroyo |
 Rush |
Shooting Guard |
 Evans |
 Dunleavy |
Small Forward |
 Turkoglu |
 Granger |
Power Forward |
 Lewis |
 Foster |
Center |  Howard |
 O'Brien |
Coach |  Van Gundy |
Diener making most of opportunity
By Conrad Brunner | Feb. 2, 2008
Tonight, 7 p.m. Conseco Fieldhouse TV: None Radio: WFNI 1070-AM |
That Diener was in the game at the point, however, is evidence of the faith he has earned from Coach Jim O'Brien. Jamaal Tinsley returned to the active roster Friday night but Diener remained in the starting lineup. Not only that, he was brought in to finish the game in the final minutes of the fourth quarter.
After spending the first two seasons of his career deep on the Orlando bench, Diener and the Pacers face the Magic tonight in Conseco Fieldhouse. Though Tinsley is expected to return to the lineup soon, Diener's recent play has solidified what was an uncertain rotation at point guard.
"I feel very, very strongly that Jamaal continues to be our best option at the point guard spot but we really want to monitor his health and make sure he's going to be out there on a consistent basis," said O'Brien. "The other reason is Travis is playing at a very high level."
In starting the last four games, Diener has averaged 32.0 minutes, 12.5 points, 4.5 assists, .410 shooting overall and .429 from the 3-point line. This from a player that had played sparingly, appearing in just 22 of the first 36 games and averaging 8.5 minutes, 3.2 points and 1.3 assists.
"Travis is playing well," O'Brien said. "He's defending at a higher level than he was at the beginning of the year, he's keeping our tempo where it needs to be. I think he's playing solid basketball. … Travis has shown me a lot. Travis could come off the bench or start. I'm confident Travis will do whatever's necessary to do what he's capable of doing to put us in a position to win."
When O'Brien opted to switch to a small lineup two weeks ago, however, Diener's speed and improving defense pushed him into the rotation. The former second-round pick from Marquette has seized the opportunity, averaging 10.4 points and 3.5 assists in the last 11 games, though he has struggled somewhat with his shot (.396 overall, .377 from the arc).
"I'm never content with the way I'm playing," Diener said. "We're still not closing games out but we're playing harder, we're playing with more consistency as far as energy. We've just got to find ways to make plays. There's still things I can get better at. I obviously would like to shoot the ball a little better but I know that will come. I'm not really concerned about that. Just helping this team win is my job. That's what I'm trying to do. Hopefully we can turn it around now."
The Pacers (19-28) have dropped five in a row and 15 of 19 heading into tonight's game while Orlando (30-18) has won three straight and six of seven and has an NBA-high 18 road victories.
KEY TO THE GAME
The Pacers historically have played Orlando well in Conseco Fieldhouse, winning the last four meetings and allowing now more than 86 points in the Magic's last six trips here. In a matchup of the two highest-scoring teams in the Eastern Conference (Orlando averages 103.4, the Pacers 103.2), whoever plays the best defense will carry the day.
TRENDS
After being whistled for 36 technical fouls in the first 40 games the Pacers have none in the last seven. … Jermaine O'Neal has missed seven consecutive games and 14 overall due to left knee problems and the Pacers are 6-8 without him. … Danny Granger has shot 17-of-50 (.340) from the field in the last three games. …. Jeff Foster has averaged 12.3 points, 11.8 rebounds and .679 shooting in his last four starts. ... Marquis Daniels picked up his first DNP-CD Friday night since Dec. 22, 2006.
SERIES
The Pacers wiped out a 15-point third-quarter deficit to beat the Magic 115-109 on Dec. 7 in Orlando as Danny Granger scored 27. Dwight Howard had 30 points and 15 rebounds for Orlando. Indiana leads the series 39-29 overall and 24-10 at home.
INJURIES
Pacers - F-C Jermaine O'Neal (bone bruise, L knee) is out.
Magic - F James Augustine (flu-like symptoms) is day-to-day; C Tony Battie (L shoulder surgery) is out.
