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THE SKINNY



After a few days off for the All-Star break, the Pacers played one game and enjoyed 3 days off without a game. They've been honing things in practice, trying new strategies and schemes. New Orleans is coming off a great home win against the defending champions. They meet today in New Orleans where the Hornets look to avenge their overtime loss against the Pacers and prevent a season sweep.

THE LINEUPS



Point Guard

Former Pacers contributor Jarrett Jack has been starting, but Vasquez took advantage of his size successfully in the last matchup. Collison needs to push the tempo on what will probably be a depleted Hornets frontcourt that is on the second night of a back-to-back and the fourth game in five nights.

Shooting Guard

Paul George is using his defense to key his offense, and he has a real opportunity to become a deflection machine tonight. He has to pounce early and often, especially against a dead-eye shooter like Belinelli.

Small Forward

Granger most likely won't contend with Ariza, who is nursing an illness, but Aminu is also an active, athletic player that shouldn't be slept on. Granger has been rounding back into offensive shape, but if he wants to continue to do well, he has to not get tunnel vision to the basket. Finding teammates and drawing fouls are all great ways to get going. Despite a poor shooting percentage, Granger is at 51% true shooting, which is good enough for average in the NBA.

Power Forward

Gustavo Ayon has stepped up in the absence of Jason Smith, putting up nice rebounding numbers and showing an offensive game that shouldn't be taken for granted. David West needs to match activity, and probably has a little extra hunger returning to his former team.

Center

Kaman's game tonight might be an audition for a Pacers squad looking to use their cap room to add pieces before the deadline. He posted 20-13 in yesterday's win against the defending champs. Hibbert only needed to play 20 minutes against Golden State, and still put up 12 and 9 with 3 blocks. The New Orleans interior is more stout, so Hibbert should stand strong and do his thing.

THE BENCH






George Hill continues to get back to form while Dahntay Jones has been chipping in nicely on open 3-point attempts and alley-oop conversions. Hansbrough's forays into the paint have yet to pay off big, but he's getting to the line and converting at a good percentage, making his efficiency better than it looks on the box score.

THE COACHES




Vogel and Williams are the youngest and second-youngest respectively. Their teams are in completely different places, however, and Vogel's coaching is going to show itself coming off a 3-day down period.

THE INJURY REPORT



Pacers
None.

Warriors
Trevor Ariza: Illness - Probably not.
Emeka Okafor: Knee - Probably not.
Carl Landry: Knee - No.
Jason Smith: Brain - No.
Eric Gordon: Knee - No.

THE HEAVY MATTERS



-Push it. This team has probably been drained. They may be stiff competition as they are home, but pushing the tempo will make the Pacers more and more successful as the game goes on.
-Watch out for zone. It is an effective tactic against the Pacers, and a good one for tired teams.

THE TRADITION

It's not going to be an easy game. The Hornets will always battle a game when they are the clear underdogs. The team is tanking but the players want to show their game in order to attract buyers. So, they are a dangerous team.

We have to start strong and keep up the intensity.

Nice first half by AJ.

Edit: First quarter, I mean

I read that wiretap about the Pacers having intense practice sessions during their days off and supposedly working on their offensive sets. I haven't been able to watch first half...have those practice sessions shown on the floor?

Reginald Wayne wrote:I read that wiretap about the Pacers having intense practice sessions during their days off and supposedly working on their offensive sets. I haven't been able to watch first half...have those practice sessions shown on the floor?

Well, Hibbert and West play the high-low better. AJ does a good job in running the pick and roll. DC had some drives and dishes. Our spacing is good. However, we have had some trouble feeding the post (both Danny and PG).

Other than that, the usual. Our offense looks nice.

Amazing way to end the half. A 21 - 4 run is always welcome (when it's in our favor, of course). DC with 2 consecutive good defensive plays and 2 consecutive good offensive plays. The buzzer beater was crazy but it went in

Lou and AJ have been excellent in this first half.

Hibbert has been shaky from the line this year.

Indeed. He's a better player, though, and I think the added muscle might have actually thrown off his consistency from that area. They missed long most of the time earlier in the season.

Miller4ever wrote:Indeed. He's a better player, though, and I think the added muscle might have actually thrown off his consistency from that area. They missed long most of the time earlier in the season.

100% true. I thought that this was probably the reason as well.

On the other hand, his mid range has been pretty rock solid.

Oh well, he still is a far better player this year. I just want him to find back his FT shooting

Not that 4/6 is bad. Those are his standards. I was talking generally

PS: We have to answer to their 7 - 0 run and put them to rest for the remaining of the game.

And they closed out the half with a 9 - 1 run. Thank you

Our defense is so sick.

Miller4ever wrote:Our defense is so sick.

Yeah, it's nice. Hibbert gets away with some fouls during hedges (he bumps a bit too hard on Jack) but our defense has been solid tonight. We are playing the passing lanes amazingly.

Very good win, guys