O'Brien seeks solution to slow starts
By Conrad Brunner | Dec. 30, 2009
Slow starts have buried the Pacers of late, and Coach Jim O'Brien is trying to find a solution to the latest problem plaguing his slumping team.
Indiana (9-21) takes a seven-game losing streak into its final game of 2009 tonight against the surging Memphis Grizzlies in Conseco Fieldhouse.
The Pacers fell behind 34-15 in the first quarter in a 104-95 loss to Chicago Tuesday, marking the third consecutive game they trailed by at least 17 in the opening period. In those three, the Pacers were outscored 101-56 in the first quarter, shot 25-of-69 (.362) from the field while yielding 40-of-65 (.615) shooting to their opponents.
The average deficit at the end of the first quarter has been 15.
O'Brien changed the starting lineup in Chicago, giving Solomon Jones the first regular-season start of his career at center, and moving T.J. Ford back to the point, with Roy Hibbert and Earl Watson heading to the bench. That was the 10th lineup of the season and the 11th may be necessary tonight.
Troy Murphy left the Chicago game in the third quarter with a sprained left ankle and did not return. Tyler Hansbrough missed the game with an inner ear infection and Jeff Foster was out for the fifth straight game with a sprained back. If those three are unable to go tonight -- all are listed as doubtful -- the Pacers will be perilously thin in the frontcourt, with only Solomon Jones, Roy Hibbert and Josh McRoberts available.
Memphis (14-16) has won four of five behind the dominant play of Zach Randolph. In those five games, Randolph has averaged 28.2 points and 18.2 rebounds while shooting 57-of-98 (.582) from the floor. The Grizzlies are 8-4 in December, including victories over the Mavs, Cavs and Nuggets, but could be without Rudy Gay, who's day-to-day with a left ankle sprain.
TRENDS
In the last six games, the Pacers' starting wings, Mike Dunleavy and Dahntay Jones, have been outscored 166-67 by opposing starters. … Dunleavy has shot .237 and Jones .250 from the field in that span. … Luther Head has averaged 12.7 points on .484 shooting in the last three. … Indiana is 0-4 when Hibbert comes off the bench. … McRoberts has totaled 41 minutes, 14 points and seven rebounds in the last two games, including his first career 3-point field goal. … The offense has averaged 91.6 points on .408 shooting in the seven-game losing streak. … The Pacers have missed 22 free throws in the last two games. … The defense has yielded 109.3 points and .508 shooting in the last three. … The starters have been outscored 534-326 in the last seven.KEY TO THE GAME
The Pacers must find a way to avoid another slow start. In Memphis' 107-94 victory on Dec. 18, Indiana fell into a 20-8 hole in the first quarter and, after rallying to take a 56-51 lead at the half, watched the Grizzlies open the third quarter with a 28-5 run to put it away.SERIES
All five Memphis starters scored at least 17, more than any Indiana player, in the Grizzlies' recent victory. The Pacers lead 21-7 overall and are 12-1 at home, but Memphis won on its last trip to Conseco Fieldhouse, 104-99, on Feb. 25.INJURIES
Pacers -- Travis Diener (foot) is day-to-day; Troy Murphy (ankle), Tyler Hansbrough (ear infection) and Jeff Foster (back) are doubtful; Danny Granger (foot) is out.Grizzlies -- Rudy Gay (ankle) is day-to-day; Darrell Arthur (chest) is out.
