| PACERS | vs. | KNICKS |
![]() T.J. Ford |
Point Guard |
![]() C. Duhon |
![]() B. Rush |
Shooting Guard |
![]() L. Hughes |
![]() D. Jones |
Small Forward |
![]() D. Gallinari |
![]() D. Granger |
Power Forward |
![]() W. Chandler |
![]() R. Hibbert |
Center | ![]() D. Lee |
![]() L. Head |
Sixth Man |
![]() A. Harrington |
![]() J. O'Brien |
Coach | ![]() M. D'Antoni |
By Conrad Brunner | Nov. 4, 2009
| Wednesday's Game |
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7:30 p.m., Road TV: FSN-Indiana Radio: 1070 The Fan |
T.J. Ford thinks that's all it'll take to shake the Pacers from their season-opening slump.
"If we can go to New York and get ourselves a win, I think we'll be alright," Ford said after the Pacers dropped to 0-3 with a 111-93 loss to Denver Tuesday night in Conseco Fieldhouse. "I think that'll build some confidence. It takes one win and everybody will start cheering, everybody will be happy.
"Losing carries a whole different mindset by itself. We all know what winning does for you."
The Knicks (1-3) are the first opponent the Pacers have faced (including the preseason) that was not in a 2009 playoff team but they present their own set of challenges, primarily an explosive offensive (109.3 points, four players averaging at least 19 points). They've also been more competitive than their record might indicate with two of the losses coming in overtime.
Indiana's offense, meanwhile, has lost its way. The Pacers have averaged 88 points on 38.2 percent shooting and have hit just 7-of-45 (.156) from the 3-point line in the last two games.
"I think we have plenty of offensive weapons," said Coach Jim O'Brien. "And I think we'll become a very, very cohesive unit. Certainly it will benefit us to get everybody playing.
"I think we have guys that can defend and I think we have guys that will get what we want offensively. It's just not happening right now."
The Pacers have started 0-3 for the first time since 1996-97. They haven't opened with four consecutive losses since starting 0-9 in 1988-89.
"We've had a setback, we've got to stay together and fight through the struggle and keep going out and try to play even harder than we've been playing and try to find a way to get a win," said Ford. "All it takes is one."
Murphy's injury could force small lineup
The frontcourt rotation took another blow when Troy Murphy bruised his lower back on a hard off-balance fall under the Denver basket in the second quarter. Murphy re-entered the game briefly but didn't last long and did not play in the second half.O'Brien said he did not expect Murphy to play in New York, which would likely mean a lineup similar to what he fielded to start the second half against the Nuggets, with Dahntay Jones at small forward and Danny Granger at power forward.
"We'll figure that out before the game," O'Brien said. "We’re somewhat limited obviously so we'll probably play small. You just go with what you suit up."
The Pacers also are without Jeff Foster, who's expected to miss at least two weeks with a high right ankle sprain; Tyler Hansbrough (shin), Mike Dunleavy (knee) and Travis Diener (toe).




























