NOTEWORTHY
Two of the longest postseason streaks in the NBA are in jeopardy, and their owners collide tonight in Conseco Fieldhouse. The Lakers have reached the playoffs 10 consecutive seasons but at 32-32 stand ninth in the Western Conference 1 1/2 games behind Denver. They're playing their sixth consecutive road game and have lost the last three, including a 102-89 defeat in Miami Thursday night. The Pacers have reached the playoffs seven consecutive seasons and currently stand seventh in the East but face a battle to maintain their postseason position if leading scorer Jermaine O'Neal misses the rest of the regular season with a shoulder injury. Indiana has gone 4-2 in O'Neal's most recent absence, largely because of the perimeter scoring of Reggie Miller and Stephen Jackson, who've combined for nearly 45 points per game in that span.
Both teams have difficult remaining schedules. The Lakers' opponents have a .563 winning percentage, making theirs the most difficult stretch run in the league. The Pacers have the third-toughest schedule as their opponents have a combined .533 percentage.
Lakers star Kobe Bryant has been struggling since tweaking a right ankle injury that kept him out of 14 games earlier in the season. In the three-game losing streak, Bryant has averaged 21.3 points, nearly seven below his seven average, on 33.3 percent shooting; that includes 3-of-28 shooting in the second half.
<hr color="#ffcc00"> TRENDS
The Pacers have outscored their opponents by 57 points while Dale Davis has been on the floor (174 minutes) in his six games since joining the team. ... Eddie Gill is 0-of-9 from the field in the last five. ... Anthony Johnson has averaged 13.0 points, 7.0 assists and 4.8 rebounds while shooting 54.1 percent from the field in the last four. ... James Jones has averaged 6.3 points on 57.1 percent shooting in the last three. ... Miller has averaged 20.3 points in the last six while averaging 6.8 free-throw attempts, more than twice his season average. ... Jackson has averaged 24.3 points in the last six, shooting 41 percent from the 3-point line (16-of-39). ... Jackson has made 19 consecutive free throws. ... The Pacers have won three of four and four of six and have gone 12-8 in their last 20 games. <hr color="#ffcc00"> SERIES
The Lakers won 103-94 on March 6 in Staples Center as Bryant scored 37 as all five starters scored in double figures. The Lakers have won six of the last seven meetings overall and lead the series 47-15 all-time, 19-11 in Indianapolis. <hr color="#ffcc00"> KEY MATCHUP
Frontcourt - Even though he's been struggling of late, Bryant is going to find a way to get his points. What the Pacers must do is avoid a repeat of the last game, when Lamar Odom, Caron Butler and Chris Mihm combined to score 37. <hr color="#ffcc00"> INJURIES
Pacers - G Jamaal Tinsley (foot) is doubtful; F Jermaine O'Neal (shoulder), F Jonathan Bender (knee) and C David Harrison (knee) are on the injured list; F Ron Artest is on the suspended list.
Lakers - G Tony Bobbitt (ankle), C Vlade Divac (back) and F Devean George (ankle) are on the injured list.
