| ||
 |
vs. |  |
 Diener |
Point Guard |
 Rondo |
 Dunleavy |
Shooting Guard |
 Allen |
 Granger |
Small Forward |
 Pierce |
 Murphy |
Power Forward |
 Scalabrine |
 Foster |
Center |  Perkins |
 O'Brien |
Coach |  Rivers |
Celtics challenge improving defense
By Conrad Brunner | Feb. 11, 2008
Tuesday, 7 p.m. Conseco Fieldhouse TV: FSN-Indiana Radio: WFNI 1070-AM |
If they are to extend their winning streak Tuesday night against the NBA's best team, the Pacers will need to continue to extend their defensive productivity.
Indiana takes a two-game winning streak into Conseco Fieldhouse against Boston, which has a 39-9 record. Though the Celtics are playing without the injured Kevin Garnett (abdominal strain), they're 5-2 in his absence including a 98-90 victory Sunday in San Antonio.
"As we saw (Sunday) if you watched the Celtics play the Spurs, they're a formidable basketball team," said Coach Jim O'Brien. "Paul Pierce and Ray Allen can turn it up a notch and they're still physically tough enough inside to handle a Spurs team that has Duncan. They're No. 1 in defense and they've certainly showed they can put up points with the best of them. It's the same old challenge. You're playing against a team that has multiple options offensively to score.
"We understand who they are. We understand what their record is. We know how we have to play, what kind of game we have to play to give ourselves the best chance of winning and that's defending at a high level, challenging shots, keeping them off the glass and creating the tempo that is most conducive to us winning, which is a high tempo."
The Pacers (21-30) trailed the Knicks 86-79 heading into the final eight minutes Wednesday but limited New York to two field goals the rest of the way while rallying for a 103-100 victory. They then held Portland to 5-of-17 in the third period and six field goals in a span of 16 minutes as they stretched a 51-50 lead to 82-70 on their way to a 101-93 victory Saturday night.
"We defended at the end of the New York Knicks game at a level that is necessary to win close games and against Portland our third-quarter defense and the beginning of the fourth quarter were as good as we've seen in about a month," said O'Brien. "It had nothing to do with our players following our plan as much as their desire and guts to just get stops."
The Pacers will once again be without point guard Jamaal Tinsley and power forward Jermaine O'Neal, who both are battling left knee problems. Mike Dunleavy, who missed the second half against Portland after suffering a bruised right knee, did not practice Monday and is questionable.
"I hope our confidence is high," said Travis Diener. "Hopefully, we realize that if we play defense we can win a lot of games. If we talk, if we play with energy and defend we’ll win; if not, we’ll lose. I mean, basketball’s a pretty simple game if you play hard and you execute the game plan you’re going to be pretty successful.
"We've got to build on this (streak). We've got two tough games before the All-Star break (the Pacers face Detroit Wednesday). We've got to get those."
In addition to the improved defense, the Pacers have cut down on turnovers, totaling 13 in the last two games after averaging 19.3 in the previous 14. As a result, they've been able to win two in a row without shooting well from the 3-point line (.297).
"We’ve been taking care of the ball the last couple of games and that gives us more shots at the basket which, with the way that we shoot the ball, can be deadly for teams," said Kareem Rush. "We came out and played well and hopefully we can continue for the next two games before break. … We know Boston is coming in shorthanded but they’re still going to put up a great fight. You know Detroit’s always tough. So we’re going to go out here and try to play the same way we’ve been playing the last two games and hopefully we can get a couple of wins."
KEY TO THE GAME
As much as has been made about Boston's potent offense, in truth the Celtics defense has made at least as big a difference. The Pacers shot just .349 against them in their first meeting and must accomplish the dual challenge of coming up with enough defensive stops to fuel the necessary transition opportunities in order to maximize their quality looks at the basket.
TRENDS
Marquis Daniels has totaled 21 points in the last two games. … Travis Diener has averaged 10.8 points and 5.9 assists while shooting .368 from the field and .359 from the 3-point line in starting the last eight games. … Mike Dunleavy has shot 6-of-27 (.222) from the 3-point line in the last five. … Jeff Foster has averaged 9.2 points and 9.8 rebounds while shooting 23-of-36 (.639) from the field in the last six. … Danny Granger has averaged 21.4 points in the last 18. … David Harrison has six blocked shots in 38 minutes in his last three appearances. … Troy Murphy has averaged 14.8 points and 7.0 rebounds while shooting 10-of-18 (.556) from the 3-point line in the last six. … Jermaine O'Neal has missed 11 straight games and 18 overall with a bone bruise in his left knee and the Pacers have gone 8-10 in his absence. … Kareem Rush has shot 30-of-79 (.380) in the last seven. … Jamaal Tinsley has missed two in a row, five of eight and 11 of 21 games with various injury problems. … Shawne Williams has shot 2-of-15 in the last three.
SERIES
Pierce scored 17 in the second period and Allen 15 in the third while the Pacers shot .349 overall as Boston beat the Pacers 101-86 on Nov. 13 in Conseco Fieldhouse. The Celtics lead 72-63 overall but the Pacers are 42-25 at home.
INJURIES
Pacers - G-F Mike Dunleavy (bruised R knee) is questionable; G Jamaal Tinsley (sore L knee) and F-C Jermaine O'Neal (bone bruise, L knee) is out.
Celtics - F Kevin Garnett (abdominal strain), C Kendrick Perkins (strained L shoulder) and C Scot Pollard (sore L ankle) are day-to-day.
