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DANNY'S BACK... maybe

February 23, 2013
7:30 PM ET
Bankers Life Fieldhouse - Indianapolis, IN


Indiana Pacers

(34-21) 1st in Central Division, 2nd in Eastern Conference

Starting 5


Rotation
PG - George Hill/DJ Augustin/Ben Hansbrough
SG - Lance Stephenson/Orlando Johnson/Gerald Green
SF - Paul George/Sam Young
PF - David West/Tyler Hansbrough
C - Roy Hibbert/Ian Mahinmi

Stat Leaders
Points - Paul George (17.8)
Rebounds - Roy Hibbert (8.2)
Assists - George Hill (4.9)

Detroit Pistons

(22-35) 4th in Central Division, 11th in Eastern Conference

Starting 5


Rotation
PG - Jose Calderon/Will Bynum
SG - Brandon Knight/Rodney Stuckey/Kim English
SF - Kyle Singler/Jonas Jerebko/Corey Maggette
PF - Jason Maxiell/Charlie Villanueva/Khris Middleton
C - Greg Monroe/Viacheslav Kravtov

Stat Leaders
Points - Greg Monroe (16.0)
Rebounds - Greg Monroe (9.6)
Assists - Jose Calderon (6.4)

Injury Reports

Pacers
None

Pistons
Brandon Knight (Hyperextended Knee) (Twisted Ankle) - DTD
Andre Drummond - OUT

Game Preview
via ESPN.com
The Indiana Pacers haven't had any problems this season with the Detroit Pistons.

Still, having Danny Granger back could be a nice boost for the Central Division leaders as they complete this home-and-home set.

Granger might make his long-awaited season debut on Saturday night when the visiting Pacers go for the season sweep over the Pistons.

Whatever concerns existed about Indiana (34-21) playing without Granger, who has been sidelined with patellar tendinosis in his left knee, have been quieted by Paul George, David West, George Hill and others as the Pacers have moved into second place in the Eastern Conference. They took over that spot on Friday with a 114-82 victory over Detroit (22-35) and with New York losing 100-98 at Toronto.

Indiana routed the Knicks 125-91 on Wednesday in its first game after the All-Star break.

"I'm very, very pleased with how our guys are approaching the post All-Star break," said coach Frank Vogel, whose team's 8-2 stretch started with a 98-79 victory over the visiting Pistons on Jan. 30. "They have incredible focus and energy. Our offense is really coming on."

That's a scary thought for opponents as the Pacers have yet to have Granger -- their leading scorer in each of the last five seasons -- see any action. Indiana is scoring 103.5 points per game over the last 10 contests to improve its season average to 93.8.

The Pacers lead the NBA in scoring defense (89.8) and field goal defense at 41.4 percent.

"We know were an elite level team and we have to show that every night," said rookie forward Orlando Johnson, who hit three 3-pointers and finished with a career-best 14 points -- all in the first half -- on Friday to join all five Pacers' starters in double figures.

Whether Granger returns or not, Johnson can expect to get plenty of minutes going forward. He leads all Pacers reserves with 28 points during the team's three-game winning streak.

"(Johnson's) not coming out of the rotation any time soon," Vogel said.

The Pistons need to do something different after their most lopsided defeat since a 116-84 loss at Atlanta on April 18, but they know it won't be easy.

"With Indiana, it's all about blitzkrieg," coach Lawrence Frank said. "They blitzkrieged New York, who bliztkrieged us. There's no surprise about what they did."

Detroit chances of bouncing back on Saturday could be hurt if second-year guard Brandon Knight misses a second straight game due to a hyperextended right knee.

If Knight can't play, Rodney Stuckey -- the only Pistons starter in double figures (11) on Friday -- will likely be in the lineup again next to point guard Jose Calderon, who is coming off his worst performance (five points, three assists) in nine games since being acquired from Toronto on Jan. 30.

The Pistons, losers of 13 of 16 to Indiana, had won three in a row over the visiting Pacers prior to an 88-77 defeat on Dec. 15

Indiana last swept this season series in 2009-10.

Danny Granger WILL make his season debut tonight

Should be interesting to see how Granger is integrated into the lineup. I'd like to see Indy put Granger at the backup 4 with Hibbert at the 5, George at the 3 on backup units, while Granger takes the full scoring load while George is out.

That would be very interesting. I think Granger will be great for us off the bench until he is 100% ready for big minutes. I like the idea of bringing him in at the 4. I just don't think it is a good idea to move Paul back down to the 2. I think he is much more comfortable at the 3 spot, not that we really have anyone is a specific position on the wing, but he just seems at home with his current placement.

Yeah, Paul needs to stay at the 3. That leads Granger as the odd man out: Do we keep him on the bench, or move David West to the bench and start Danny at the 4?

Personally, I think we need West at the 4. Danny doesn't have the killer instinct at the end of games that West has had this year. And I don't think Danny fits physically or gameplay wise at the 4.

Picking up right where we left off. Nice.

What are with these fouls on Hibbert and Mahinmi...

Jake0890 wrote:Picking up right where we left off. Nice.

I take this back. The offense has stalled.

Danny entering the game.

Mahinmi has to hit that mid range shot.

Danny's shot seems ok. It isn't falling but the form seems nice.

Ugly game. Taking, and missing, waaaay too many jump shots.

Our bench jumped in the court the moment that Danny scored in order to congratulate him

Brawl in the Palace 2.0 almost.

Funny how everyone hates Hans.

I was probably the biggest Hans hater last off-season, but he's really shown his value this year. I wouldn't mind re-signing him for cheap. He just gets in everyone's head like Garnett without being a thug.

I just love our team

Nuntius wrote:Our bench jumped in the court the moment that Danny scored in order to congratulate him

I thought that was the high point of the game. obviously Danny's shooting was awful and went a long way towards keeping Detroit in the game. that the whole team was joyful when one finally went in was really cool. I loved watching them enjoy each other's success.

Will Bynum suspended one game.