| PACERS | vs. | CLIPPERS |
 T.J. Ford |
Point Guard |
 B. Davis |
 B. Rush |
Shooting Guard |
 R. Butler |
 D. Jones |
Small Forward |
 A. Thornton |
 T. Murphy |
Power Forward |
 M. Camby |
 J. Foster |
Center |  C. Kaman |
 T. Hansbrough |
Sixth Man |
 E. Gordon |
 J. O'Brien |
Coach |  M. Dunleavy |
By Conrad Brunner | Nov. 25, 2009
Danny Granger will miss tonight's game with the Clippers due to a sprain of the medial collateral ligament in his left knee.
Granger injured the knee while scoring 36 points during the Pacers' 123-112 loss in Toronto, the Pacers' fourth straight, and Coach Jim O'Brien said he wasn't sure how long his leading scorer might be out.
"They're (examing the knee) right now and I have not been told what the situation is," O'Brien said. "Hopefully it'll be short-term. Meanwhile, you've got a game and you've got to try to find a way to win."
With Granger out and Mike Dunleavy, rehabbing from major knee surgery last March, not yet ready to return, the Pacers will be shorthanded at the wing spots. Dahntay Jones will replace Granger at small forward but behind Jones and shooting guard Brandon Rush the Pacers will have to either go small with Luther Head and possibly Earl Watson at shooting guard, or try 6-10 Josh McRoberts at small forward, a position where he has had limited experience.
"They're very physical at the wing spots and that's a concern to us," O'Brien said, "but we'll patch it together."
While the struggling Pacers absorbed another blow, the Clippers (6-9) have won two in row and welcome back second-leading scorer Eric Gordon. The former North Central High and Indiana University standout missed the last seven games with a groin injury. Gordon, who averages 18.9 points, 4.0 assists, 3.3 rebounds and 1.71 steals while shooting .506 from the field and .462 from the 3-point line, told the Los Angeles Times he thought about a couple of thousand people were coming to the game to watch him.
"It would have even been more," he said, "but my high school has a game."
TRENDS
Pacers -- The Pacers are 13-8 all-time in games Granger has missed, including 9-6 last season. ... T.J. Ford has yet to make a 3-pointer this season, missing all nine of his attempts. … Ford has more rebounds (50) than assists (32). … The Pacers are 1-3 when Granger scores at least 30 points. … The Pacers are 0-6 in games Troy Murphy has played, 5-1 in games he has missed. … Earl Watson has shot 3-of-18 overall and 0-of-10 from the 3-point line in the last four games.Clippers -- Coach Mike Dunleavy needs two victories to reach 600 for his career. … Al Thornton has produced 49 points on 16-of-26 shooting (.615) in the last two games. … Chris Kaman has slumped to 15.5 points on 25-of-63 shooting (.397) in the last four. … Baron Davis has hit 4-of-21 shots and totaled 14 points in the last two games.
KEY MATCHUP
While many teams don't have any true centers, the Clippers start two with Marcus Camby and Kaman. While Camby is a defensive specialist who can dominate with rebounds and blocked shots, Kaman is a crafty scorer inside. Troy Murphy will have his hands full keeping Camby off the glass, while either Jeff Foster or Roy Hibbert (if the youngster returns to the starting lineup) will try to contain Kaman.INJURIES
Pacers - Danny Granger (knee), Mike Dunleavy (knee) and Travis Diener (toe) are out.Clippers - Blake Griffin (knee) and Kareem Rush (knee) are out; DeAndre Jordan (ankle) is doubtful; Eric Gordon (groin) is questionable.
