| PACERS | vs. | WARRIORS |
 T.J. Ford |
Point Guard |
 S. Curry |
 B. Rush |
Shooting Guard |
 M. Ellis |
 D. Jones |
Small Forward |
 K. Azubuike |
 D. Granger |
Power Forward |
 S. Jackson |
 R. Hibbert |
Center |  M. Moore |
 T. Hansbrough |
Sixth Man |
 A. Morrow |
 J. O'Brien |
Coach |  D. Nelson |
By Conrad Brunner | Nov. 11, 2009
Defense has been central to the Pacers' last two victories, as they've held opponents to 87.5 points and .394 shooting while compiling 21 steals and 18 blocked shots.
"I think the additions of Dahntay Jones and Earl Watson to people like T.J. (Ford) and Danny (Granger) and Brandon (Rush) on the perimeter has really made us much tougher-minded defensively in guarding the other team's perimeter and I think our bigger guys are feeding off it, said Coach Jim O'Brien. "It's the overall aggressiveness that those guys on the perimeter are bringing to it, the rest of the team is feeding off it."
That defensive improvement will be tested Wednesday by the Warriors (7 p.m., Conseco Fieldhouse, Fox Sports Indiana, 1070 The Fan), who are second in the NBA in scoring (110.7) and are coming off a 146-105 victory over Minnesota Monday.
"Golden State put 146 points on the board (Monday) night. They love the up-tempo. We really like it so if anybody likes offensive basketball, I would suggest that they come to Conseco tomorrow. They're going to see I think a very entertaining basketball game," said O'Brien. "If you look at the statistics of Golden State and you look at the statistics of Boston (the Celtics come to Conseco Fieldhouse Saturday night), they are top-five, top-three field-goal offense, 3-point field-goal offense, so this week will certainly be a test for us."
The Warriors are fourth in 3-point percentage (.424) and fifth in field goal percentage (.482), while the Celtics are second in field-goal percentage (.498) and sixth in 3-point percentage (.403).
Granger working on errant jumper
Every year, it seems, Granger's jumper hits a chuck-hole and is knocked out of alignment, albeit only briefly.When the numbers dip for an All-Star sharpshooter, eyebrows raise. But neither Granger nor O'Brien is particularly concerned about his recent slump.
"Honestly, I'm not worried about it," Granger said. "My shot won't disappear overnight. I don't even think I'm in a funk or nothing, I really don't."
Granger has shot 26-of-75 (.347) overall in the last four games, 10-of-39 (.256) from the 3-point line. For the year, 55 percent of his shots (51 of 93) have been 3-pointers. Last season, 35 percent of his shots were 3 pointers.
"I think it'll balance out," said O'Brien. "You know, he's a scorer and he's going to find his way. ... Danny will find his balance of attacking the basket and 3-point shots. He studies tapes all the time and he will find it."
Granger has stayed long after practice to work on his shooting each of the past three days. He doesn't believe the sore heel that has dogged him since training camp is a factor.
"It might not even be an issue of my shooting as maybe the choice of shots I'm taking," he said. "It might be that I'm not getting the shots I got last year, that I've just got to find a different niche in this offense of where I'm going to get my shots at. I think I'm trying to figure that out."
