VISITING
THE SKINNY
The Indiana Pacers go on the road for their first look at the Miami Heat. After dropping a winnable game against the Magic, the Pacers look to bounce back. The hardest stretches of the season are coming, and the Pacers can't take 5-6 at face value.
THE LINEUPS
Point Guard
Darren Collison is back, and he plays one of the two key positions when facing the Heat. With Carlos Arroyo and Mario Chalmers constituting the point guard rotation for the Heat, the Pacers have a real chance to push the advantage and have Collison and TJ Ford rip through the Heat defense. Carlos Arroyo and Mario Chalmers are both speed-based guards with range, so defense is still a must.
Shooting Guard
Mike Dunleavy was clanking everything off the rim against the Magic. His inconsistency is an area of concern, and if he is to continue to start in light of Rush's newly found daring play, he needs to do his job well. Dwyane Wade is nursing an injury, but the Pacers need to plan for him. He's not just a scorer, but a great passer and a strong defender. Dunleavy's tendency to telegraph passes won't serve him well here.
Small Forward
Nobody is expecting miracles out of Granger, but being the 4th biggest star on the court should motivate him to step up and accept the challenge. The team goes as far as its best player, and with Granger at the helm, he needs to really take on Lebron.
Power Forward
Josh McRoberts has been playing well, and with Jeff Foster out again, it's up to him and Hansbrough to bring the energy and hustle. He can't get in foul trouble against Bosh, even though the vaunted power forward has been struggling since joining the Heat.
Center
Hibbert plays the other key position for the Pacers, along with Collison. He is up against Zydrunas Ilgauskas, a smart but much slower veteran. Roy Hibbert cannot get in foul trouble against the drives from Lebron and Wade. The perimeter players must help out by keeping them from getting inside.
THE BENCH
Brandon Rush had a lay-up blocked by Lebron JAmes and it was one of the highlights of his last season. He appears to have turned things around, with 14 points on 6-11 shooting against the Magic. His defense will be key today, as he will probably be checking Lebron. Tyler Hansbrough can possibly have a good game against the lack of depth the Heat have up front with Haslem out. Eddie House is too dangerous a player to let him get hot.
THE COACHES
Erik Spoelstra has the difficult task of balancing egos and distributing minutes. Jim O'Brien has the difficult task of getting consistent performances out of the Pacers. The game can go any way if the Heat hold Wade out of the game.
THE INJURY REPORT
Pacers
Jeff Foster - Back: Out.
Heat
Udonis Haslem - Foot: Out.
Mike Mille - Thumb: Out.
Dwyane Wade - Wrist: Maybe.
THE HEAVY MATTERS
-Contain the supporting cast of Lebron. If you have to worry about the rest of the team on top of the guy who will likely get his, the game is lost.
-Play the PG and C advantage. It is the area where the Pacers have a clear-cut advantage and those players need to step up and put the pressure on the Heat.
THE TRADITION
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