GDT: Game 9, Indiana @ Philadelphia

[Grang33r]

Indiana Pacers [6-2] @ Philadelphia 76ers [5-2]
| Tuesday, January 9, 2012 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania| Wells Fargo Center| 7:00 pm ET |
| TV: FSIN, | Radio: WIBC 93.3



GAME PREVIEW

While their offensive game has been clicking, the Philadelphia 76ers are enjoying their best start in 11 seasons behind a stifling defensive display.

The Indiana Pacers have also experienced plenty of early season success by clamping down on their opponents.

Points could be at a premium as the Pacers visit a 76ers team seeking a fifth consecutive victory for the first time in almost two years Monday night.

Off to its best start since winning its first 10 games in 2000-01, Philadelphia (5-2) ranks near the top of the league with 100.9 points per contest. The 76ers, however, have been even more impressive defending their end of the court, where they’re surrendering a league-low average of 85.6 points.

Philadelphia’s defensive prowess was on full display during Saturday’s 97-62 rout of Toronto. The Raptors’ point total was the lowest in the 15-year history of the Wells Fargo Center and the second-lowest by an opponent since the start of the 1985-86 season.

“It’s all about playing defense. We know we can score. It’s all about how we react and how we respond on defense,” forward Elton Brand told the team’s official website.

Full Game Preview- http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/preview?gid=2012010920

76ERS REPORT

*The Sixers, who held the Raptors to an arena-record for fewest points (62), have won four of their five games by 20-plus points.

*The Sixers' commitment to hitting the boards is showing, as they lead the league in defensive rebounding (34.6).

Full 76ers report- http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/teams/phi/report

PACERS REPORT

*The Pacers gave up 30 points to the Bobcats in the first quarter. They only gave up a total of 28 points in the second half. Charlotte only shot 22 percent on 10-of-46 shooting after halftime.

"We came in sluggish," F Tyler Hansbrough said. "Didn't do what we were supposed to do, but then we picked up the effort, began to fight with team relentlessness and helped us to this win."

*The Pacers are 3-0 at home for the first time since 2002, when they opened the season by winning their first seven home games. Coach Frank Vogel wants his team to have at least a .500 record on the road and be even better at home. Indiana is on its way to doing that.

Full Pacers report- http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/teams/ind/report

LAST TIME OUT:

Sat, Jan 7th
99
77
Leader: Roy Hibbert- 20pt, 8reb, 3blk Game Boxscore: http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/boxscore?gid=2012010711

Sat, Jan 7th
62
97
Leader: Andre Iguodala- 14pt, 10reb Game Boxscore: http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/boxscore?gid=2012010720

THE COACHES




STARTERS



Indiana

Collison - George - Granger - West - Hibbert

Team Leaders-
Points- Granger 15.2ppg, Hibbert 13.2, Hansbourgh 12.7
Rebounds- Hibbert 10rpg, Hansbrough 8, West 7
Assists- Collison 6.2, George 2.5, West 2.5

Philadelphia-

Holiday - Meeks - Iduodala - Brand - Hawes

Team Leaders:
Points- Holiday 14.9, Iduodala 13.1, Hawes 12.6
Rebounds- Hawes 10.6, Brand 7.4
Assists- Holiday 4,9, Iduodala 4.1

RESERVES



Indiana

Hill - Hansbrough - Jones - Amundson - Foster

Leaders-
Points- Hansbrough 12.7, Hill 9.2
Rebounds- Hansbourgh 8
Assists- Hill 2

Philadelphia

Williams - Turner - Young - Nocioni

Team Leaders:
Points- Williams 17.1, Young 12.7, Turner 9.9
Rebounds- Turner 5.9
Assists- Williams 3.6

INJURY REPORT



Pacers

GT Decision - GT Decision - GT Decision

76ERS
None.

10 BEFORE THE TIP

NBA.com has a reporter in every arena, scouring the locker rooms and hitting press row for all the latest news, notes and anecdotes leading up to tipoff. Ten Before Tip is your source for lineup scratches, injury updates and all last-minute info that could affect the outcome of the game. Every night, before every game, NBA.com’s writers will be filing short TBT blog posts directly from the arena, covering the latest storylines to keep you fully informed.

Check this out before the tip- http://tbt.blogs.nba.com/

REMEMBER THIS

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b5LOkjxIfhM[/youtube]

KEY MATCHUP

Andre Iguodala vs. Danny Granger





TRADITION











LETS GO PACERS

[Miller4ever]

It's my birfday. WIN!

[Grang33r]

^^ Happy birthday, Miller4Ever!

[mizzoupacers]

Hansbrough will have an assist tonight, I just know it

[Pacersike]

I really like our reserves for tonight. What is a super bowl?

Have been looking forward to this game. 76ers are a highly identical team
All matchups will be fun to watch:
Collison - Holiday
Hill - Williams
George - Turner
Granger- Iguodala
West - Brand
Hansbrough - Young
Hibbert - Hawes

[Indy2thaWindy]

No Granger tonight.

[Val Holliday]

No Danny gonna be tough, regardless of his shooting woes. Hopefully Lance & Hill are good to go and George has an up game today. If we play Dahntay Jones 25+ minutes thats probably not gonna be good.

[Gremz]

What's up with Roy? Why he be Game Time Decision?

[Indy2thaWindy]

What's up with Roy? Why he be Game Time Decision?

He sprained his ankle while performing his on stunts on that TV show Parks and Recreation.

[Boneman2]

At first I thought they started DJones over GHill... I was pissed.

Nice two-man game between Hibbert and George.

[chube]

Yikes. 5 turnovers in the last 6 possessions.

[Indy2thaWindy]

Collison doesn't do anything good. He just kills all ball movement and is one of the worst perimeter defenders in the NBA.

And somebody needs to tell Paul to stop taking those midrange fadeaways.

[frizzledizzle]

Stephenson blows. Let's hope the Pacers can stay relatively healthy throughout the season because the less girlfriend beater plays, the better.

[Indy2thaWindy]

Stephenson blows. Let's hope the Pacers can stay relatively healthy throughout the season because the less girlfriend beater plays, the better.

He's tried drawing 2 fouls with the shot clock counting down. He basically is told to sit in the corner while AJ Price gets pushed back near the halfcourt line by his defender and Dahntay Jones pretends he's Kobe. It's all good. We were never going to win without "Danny Granger's playoff clutchness" tonight.

[frizzledizzle]

Stephenson blows. Let's hope the Pacers can stay relatively healthy throughout the season because the less girlfriend beater plays, the better.

He's tried drawing 2 fouls with the shot clock counting down. He basically is told to sit in the corner while AJ Price gets pushed back near the halfcourt line by his defender and Dahntay Jones pretends he's Kobe. It's all good. We were never going to win without "Danny Granger's playoff clutchness" tonight.

I've never said the Pacers can't win without him but he's the best player on the team. He's averaged 22pts 5.5rebs 2.5asts 1stl 1blk per game over the last four seasons while shooting 39% from three. He's played poorly for 8 games. Lance Stephenson has played poorly since he left high school. He should not be getting playing time. I understand why he is tonight because Granger and Hill are out but there is a reason why A.J. Price is already cutting into his minutes and Dahntay Jones is starting over him. Lance Stephenson is an excellent athlete but he appears to have the IQ of a piece of broccoli and his jump shot is horrific.

[frizzledizzle]

Four on one and they turn it over. Yuck

[Boneman2]

r we gonna make a run?

[Pacersike]

lol, might look above the rim

[Boneman2]

Our pg's are a combined 4 of 23 (Collison/Price/Lance) against just 5 assists. We need better distribution plain and simple.

We might as well not use a 1 guard because they are just midgets on the court. No offense towards short peeps.

[Pacersike]

Besides not being able to score, Collison had arguably his best game overall.
He had some good passes and was very active on defense. Holiday was 4 of 12 and had 7 turnovers.

Stephenson was just terrible.
Since coach took him out after playing great BB, he has lost his confidence.