Pacers Fan

Indiana Pacers (24-22) - Golden State Warriors (22-26)

Time: 8:00 Eastern
Venue: Conseco Fieldhouse
TV: FSNMW
Radio: WIBC 1070



Probable Starting Lineup:


Anthony Johnson | Stephen Jackson | Peja Stojakovic | Jeff Foster | Scot Pollard

Key Reserves:


David Harrison | Danny Granger | Freddie Jones



Probable Starting Lineup:


Baron Davis | Jason Richardson | Mickael "I would've been better than Peja" Pietrus | Troy Murphy | Joel Przybilla

Key Reserves:


RMike Dunleavy | Derek Fisher | Monta Ellis

Indiana Pacers
Home: 15-7
Road: 9-15
Overall: 24-22 (3rd in Central, 5th in Eastern, 10th in NBA)

Golden State Warriors
Home: 14-13
Road: 8-13
Overall: 22-26 (4th in Pacific, 10th in the west, 18th in the NBA)

Who's Hot?

- 22.5 ppg in last 2 games

- 27.3 ppg in last 3 games

Injury Report

Pacers-

- Knees/Retired
- Elbow
- Groin
- Concussion

Warriors-

- Thigh
- Back (Questionable)

Pacers Fan's Key Matchup:

Peja Stojakovic vs Mickael Pietrus

AJ has been playing good defense lately, so hopefully he can continue to on Davis. Foster should be able to guard Murphy, but both might get in foul trouble because of the rebounds they go for. While Richardson has been hot lately, Jackson and Jones are both good defenders, and might be able to contain him. Pietrus has the ability to destroy Peja in this game. Hopefully our team defense will cover.

Pacers 101
Warriors 96

Quote:

PREVIEW Teams that play an up-tempo style walk a constant tightrope, balancing the need for speed against the importance of discipline. Knowing when to push it up and when to pull it back makes the difference between scoring and winning. For a team like the Pacers, just becoming acclimated to that type of pace, it is an even greater challenge, one that will be increased by the presence of the explosive Golden State Warriors Friday night in Conseco Fieldhouse. "This is one of those situations where you've got to do everything well," said Coach Rick Carlisle. "You've got to defend so you get some chances to get out and run and get good shots. And we've got to run smart and not frantically because a frantic pace favors their athleticism and how they want to play. We want to stay aggressive but we can do it in a way that we're not turning the ball over and still getting ourselves back and in position to defend them. These guys are a much more prolific 3-point shooting team than Portland was so you have to defend that in transition, as well. It's harder to do if you're not creating good shots for yourself." In winning three in a row, the Pacers have accomplished a rare double: improving both offensively and defensively. They've averaged 99.7 points with more than twice as many assists (26.3) as turnovers (13.0). Defensively, they've allowed 77.7 points on 33.3 percent shooting, twice establishing Conseco Fieldhouse opponent lows, as well as an all-time opponent low with Portland's 26.7 percent effort in a 101-69 blowout Wednesday night. "It's possible to be able to be a good flow team on offense and be a possession team on defense," said Carlisle. "It's a hard thing to do but it is possible. When we're defending and doing good, sensible things on offense, we're going to put ourselves in position to guard. "The thing we're finding is the more we share the ball the more the ball goes in the basket. That's something we've got to continue to be aware of. When the ball goes in, it's always a better situation to get back and guard people." The Warriors (22-26) rank second in the NBA in 3-pointers attempted (23.4 per game) and made (8.0), though they're just 22nd in percentage (.341). They're fifth in the league in scoring (100.2), and their offense has been in high gear the last three games, averaging 118.3 points. Golden State is coming off a 129-124 overtime loss in Washington Wednesday night but won the previous two games. The Warriors have lost six in a row on the road overall and four in a row in Conseco Fieldhouse. TRENDS The Pacers are 3-0 with their current lineup. … Jeff Foster has averaged 10.3 rebounds in the last three, while Scot Pollard has averaged 10.8 in the last four. … The Pacers have outrebounded their last three opponents 175-125, an average margin of 16.7. … Danny Granger has averaged 13.7 points and 9.8 rebounds in the last six. … David Harrison had his first double-double of the season (12 points, 10 rebounds) and the second of his career against Portland. … Stephen Jackson has averaged 22.5 points while making 8-of-14 from the arc in the last two. … Sarunas Jasikevicius has shot 5-of-19 overall and 3-of-13 from the arc in the last three. … Anthony Johnson has shot 30.5 percent in his last nine. … Fred Jones has averaged 13.7 points in the last 23. … Peja Stojakovic has averaged 18.5 points and 6.5 rebounds since joining the Pacers. KEY MATCHUP Though Jason Richardson has been on a roll, averaging 27.3 points in the last three, Baron Davis has proven one of the most tortuous matchups for the Pacers in recent years because he has a rare combination of strength and athleticism for a point guard. Anthony Johnson's challenge will be to keep Davis on the perimeter, where his streaky 3-point shooting (31.4 percent) mitigates his overall threat, and out of the lane, where he can not only create shots but cause foul problems. INJURIES Pacers - F Austin Croshere (concussion), F Jermaine O'Neal (groin) and G Jamaal Tinsley (elbow) are out. Warriors - F Chris Taft (back) is out.

http://www.nba.com/pacers/news/preview.html

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