NOTEWORTHY
Not that long ago, the scenario the Pacers face tonight would've been unthinkable. At the All-Star break, the Cavs were challenging the Pistons for the Central Division lead, while Indiana was below .500 and facing a battle just to earn a playoff spot.
When the teams meet in Conseco Fieldhouse, the Pacers could go a long way toward putting the Cavs behind them in the Eastern Conference playoff race. Their 97-79 victory in New York Tuesday night, coupled with Cleveland's crushing 111-80 home loss to New Jersey, pushed the Pacers (39-34) into sixth place, a full game ahead of the Cavs (38-35). A victory tonight would clinch the season series and give the Pacers the first tie-breaker, putting them in the driver's seat with just eight games remaining.
While the Pacers have survived injuries to starters Jermaine O'Neal and Jamaal Tinsley to post a 14-8 record since the break, the Cavs have gone 8-14 and are a team very much in turmoil in the wake of an ownership change. Coach Paul Silas was fired, replaced by former Pacers assistant Brendan Malone, who has since posted a 4-5 mark. And ESPN reported Tuesday night General Manager Jim Paxson would follow Silas out the door, perhaps as soon as this week.
To top it off, the Cavs lost two starters to injuries against the Nets. All-Star center Zydrunas Ilgauskas suffered a dislocated ring finger on his right hand and did not travel with the team to Indianapolis. After further examination and X-rays in Cleveland, it was determined today he will not join the team for tonight's game and is officially listed as out. Power forward Drew Gooden scored 16 points in 19 minutes before leaving with a left shoulder strain. He's listed as probable.
TRENDS
Stephen Jackson scored 33 points Tuesday night in New York, his third game of at least 30 points with the Pacers, all on the road. ... Jackson has averaged 22.7 points in the last 16 games. ... Reggie Miller has averaged 19.6 points in the last 16. ... Miller has made 58 consecutive free throws, four shy of his franchise record set last month. ... Miller is 127-of-129 from the line (98.4 percent) in the last 23 games). ... Anthony Johnson has averaged 13.7 points, 7.2 assists, 4.1 rebounds and just 2.14 turnovers while shooting 54.1 percent from the field and 54.1 percent from the arc in the last 14. ... Austin Croshere is 5-of-23 from the field in the last four. ... Eddie Gill is 7-of-28 from the 3-point line (.250) and just 2-of-17 inside the arc (.118) in the last 15 games.
SERIES
The Pacers are 2-1 against the Cavs this season and could clinch the series, and potential playoff tie-breaker, with a victory. The Cavs won 93-86 in Cleveland on March 13 as LeBron James scored 35 and Reggie Miller 29. The Pacers won 106-82 on Feb. 25 at home as Stephen Jackson went for 28 points. And the Pacers won the season-opener Nov. 3 in Cleveland, 109-104 in double-overtime despite 35 points and 18 rebounds from Ilgauskas. The Pacers lead the overall series 71-65 and are 43-23 at home.
KEY MATCHUP
Small Forward - James has put the team on his back of late, averaging 46.5 minutes, 31.3 points, 7.7 rebounds, 5.8 assists and 2.67 steals in the last six games. Though he's young, that's an incredibly heavy load for one player, particularly in terms of playing time, so the Pacers need Stephen Jackson to apply as much pressure as possible to James at both ends of the floor. No player can stop James; perhaps fatigue can.
INJURY REPORT
Pacers - G Fred Jones (lower back) is questionable; G Jamaal Tinsley (foot) is out; 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.
Cavs - F Drew Gooden (shoulder) is probable; C Zydrunas Ilgauskas (finger) is out; C Scott Williams (knee), F Luke Jackson (back) and G Dajuan Wagner (colitis) are on the injured list.
