THE SKINNY
The Milwaukee Bucks teased the Pacers with some hope before putting them away with a less-than-miraculous tip-in from Andrew Bogut. With that loss fresh in their minds, the Pacers look to pounce on the Bobcats at home and put them away early to save their energy for their trip to Atlanta tomorrow. The last time these teams faced off, the Pacers stole one in Charlotte late.
THE LINEUPS
Point Guard
Darren Collison is now finishing games with TJ Ford's recent slump. DJ Augustin is playing solidly in the starting role and shoots well enough to warrant defensive attention. He is one of the few guards in the league the Pacers enjoy a size advantage against.
Shooting Guard
Brandon Rush was quiet against the lengthy wings of the Bucks. Now the Stephen Jackson and Gerald Wallace tandem, which needs a lot of defensive attention, comes rolling through Indy. Rush needs to be on his game.
Small Forward
Gerald Wallace is a one of the best rebounding wings in the NBA. Granger needs to board better, especially after that embarrassing showing in Milwaukee.
Power Forward
Josh McRoberts needs to put more effort into boxing out and grabbing rebounds. The Pacers need him to return to form if they want to take the Bobcats on the boards. Boris Diaw is a dangerous player in many facets of the game, so McRoberts needs to do what he does best and give Diaw a hard time.
Center
Roy Hibbert did not rebound well against the Bucks, getting thoroughly manhandled by Bogut on the boards. He has a chance to redeem himself against the salty old veteran in Nazr Mohammed. He and McBob should be putting bodies on people during the rebound.
THE BENCH
With Tyrus Thomas questionable, the main punch off the Bobcats bench may not be as dangerous, but they are athletic and cannot be discounted. It would help if Dunleavy/Rush, Ford, and Posey could generate better offense than they have in previous games.
THE COACHES
Jim O'Brien has a team on his hands that needs some help with rebounding. With Solomon Jones on the block, Foster and Hansbrough become more important. Larry Brown has a freshly rested squad that is looking to steal one back form the Pacers.
THE INJURY REPORT
Pacers
None.
Bobcats
Gerald Henderson - Knee: Out.
Tyrus Thomas - Quad: Maybe.
THE HEAVY MATTERS
-Box out. The Pacers were absolutely anemic in the last game.
-Offense.
THE TRADITION
