Pacers (5-4) vs Cavaliers (8-4) 11/20/09
Posted: Fri Nov 20, 2009 11:30 am
VS 
When: 7:00 PM EST
Where? At the house that Reggie built....
Starting Line Ups
VS 
A battle of two former teammates. Mo Williams took TJ's starting job while in Milwaukee, and had a career year with the Cavs last season. While TJ had a career year of his own, keeping up with Mo Williams will be a challenge. He needs to stay in control, make good decisions with the ball, and stick close to Mo on defense. He's 9th in the league in three point percentage.
VS 
Anthony Parker is shooting 14-32 in his last five games. Of those 14 makes, 12 are three pointers. He's 4th in the NBA in three point percentage. Brandon needs to stay close on the perimeter and make him put the ball on the floor. Parker especially likes those corners. As tremendous as Brandon's defense is, let's hope he remembers to bring his shot with him as well... we're going to need it.
VS 
To say Dahntay Jones has his hands full is an understatement. The 6-6, 210 Jones will likely have the pleasure of checking the 6-8, 250 James all night. Bron-Bron injured his wrist against the Wizards in the last game and it's said to still be a little sore. Nonetheless, Dahntay really needs to bring his intensity tonight. If LeBron's going to have an off night, Dahntay's going to have to be a little less aggressive on offense and a ton more aggressive on defense.
VS 
Granger has eclipsed 20 points for six straight games and if we're going to stand a chance tonight, we're going to need that seventh. For the Cavs, Hickson has really come into his own lately, with 18, 20, and 21 point games in the past week. With Shaq likely out for this match up, it's important we don't let Hickson go off for a career night against us.
VS 
The Big Fella in the middle, Hungry Hungry Hibbert, as Dante & Galante like to call him, has been a double-double machine lately. He's being patient and not rushing his moves like he did last season and he's posting 59% shooting in his last six games. Big Z is still a decent big man who can post the occasional near double-double but he's going to struggle to defend Roy at this stage in his career. Get Roy going early and often and establish that inside presence. Feed Hungry Hungry Hibbert!
Reserves
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Injury Report
Pacers
Travis Diener, sore toe on left foot, day-to-day
Mike Dunleavy, rehabilitation from right knee surgery, out
Jeff Foster, sprained right ankle, out
Troy Murphy, bruised lower back, day-to-day
Cavaliers
Anderson Varejao (hip contusion) day-to-day
Shaquille O’Neal (shoulder strain) day-to-day
Leon Powe (left knee surgery) out
Coaches
VS 
This might be a game where O'Brien can get away with playing Ford and Watson together. When Mike Brown brings West and Gibson off the bench, I fully expect O'Brien to go small as well, relegating Rush to the bench. It's sacrificing defense for offense, and we'll see if it pays off.
Key Notes
-The Pacers are 3-0 when they hold the opponent to under 90 points. The Cavaliers are 7-0 when they score at least 100 points.
-The Pacers are 5-1 when they hold the opponent to less than 33% from three point range. The Cavs lead the league in three point percentage at 45%
-The Pacers are 4-0 when attempting more free throws than their opponent.
-The Cavaliers are the league's best first quarter team, scoring at least 32 points in each of their last seven games. Weathering that initial blow is going to be crucial.
And finally...
Tradition
Let's get this much needed W!
