Game Thread #38: Indiana Pacers at Utah Jazz

by Tom Lewis on Jan 12, 2009 12:00 PM EST in Indiana Pacers News

Indiana Pacers at Utah Jazz, Jan 12, 2009 9:00 PM EST

13-24		22-15
	@
January 12, 2009 - 9:00PM EST
EnergySolutions Arena
Radio: 1070AM WFNI TV: Fox Sports Indiana
Probable starters:
Jarrett Jack	PG	Deron Williams
Stephen Graham	SG	Ronnie Price
Danny Granger	SF	Ronnie Brewer
Troy Murphy	PF	Paul Millsap
Roy Hibbert	C	Mehmet Okur

UPDATE: Bruno's Inside the Game LIVE is up.

The Indiana Pacers begin their trek home with a stop-over in Salt Lake City on Monday night to take on the Utah Jazz. After dropping two tight games to the LA Lakers and Golden State Warriors, the Pacers will attempt to salvage something positive, namely a W, to end the roadie with a good feeling.

Defense, or lack thereof, continues to dominate any analysis of how the Pacers are playing and what needs to improve. We're past considering how to shut down an opponent and forced to wonder how the Pacers will minimize the damge. So the question becomes: Who is going to go off for the Jazz?

The Pacers should match up pretty well with the Jazz who are without Carlos Boozer due to injury. Paul Millsap has been playing like a beast in Boozer's absence and you know Deron Williams will be a problem, but I'm more worried about the Ronnies (Price and Brewer), Kyle Korver and C.J. Miles. These guys are the type of role players that have hurt the Pacers all year. One time, it would be nice to see one of these guys get a hot hand only to have a defender in blue and gold step up and say, "No more, someone else will beat us tonight." Just a thought.

Playing the second game of a back-to-back against a rested team, coupled with the last game of a long road trip, gives the Jazz a big mental and physical advantage. For this Pacers team, maybe that's a good thing.

Here are the Pacers.com matchups. I'm assuming Marquis Daniels is a game-time decision and T.J. Ford won't be available, again.

For a Utah perspective, check out SLC Dunk.

Gameday Reading

Bruno's Inside the Game LIVE final and Postgame Report. Bruno forecast the future with his comment during the fourth quarter: "The weebles are wobbling." Unfortunately, they fell over in the end.
Mike Wells reports on the Pacers' failure to finish at Golden State last night.
Wells further opines, in his Pacers Insider post, on the Pacers' defense holding them back and keeping them in draft lottery contention.
Pacers Notebook has more on Mike Dunleavy's easy transition back into the lineup. Dun is close to earning more minutes from the training staff depending on how he holds up tonight in the back-to-back situation.
Ron Kroichick finds the Warriors happy to end their five-game losing streak.
Ross Siler examines Utah's recent success as the Jazz have won four of their past five games. We also learn that C.J. Miles is doubtful as he recovers from a sprained ankle and Deron Williams missed practice yeaterday due to illness.

Leave your comments and observations on the game in the comments.

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Not that it means anything

but besides Indy and Portland, i watch Utah the most. Half because they are exciting to watch, the other half cause i have Deron, Millsap, Kirilenko, and CJ Miles on my fantasy team haha. I will say one thing, if we dont come out with a ton of energy (off a road back to back, eh) they can smoke us off the opening tip. When healthy I still think they are one of the better teams in the league, and this is gonna be a real real tough game. We need big Roy and Jeff and Troy to be extremely active on Millsap and Kirilenko on the boards. SHould be interesting

by captain flitzy on Jan 12, 2009 1:30 PM EST reply actions

M. Daniels

It’d be nice to hear something a little concrete about him. Having Dunleavy back probably pushes him back to the bench, but he should continue to be quite productive as he’ll now be one of the leaders on the 2nd team. Should allow Granger to get a little more rest as well – don’t want to burn out the young stud.

I'm no commie, but the Reds shall be the best again!

by RedHopeful on Jan 12, 2009 6:45 PM EST reply actions

I agree

On his radio show last Thursday, JOB sounded like Quisy would be ready sooner than T.J. Then TJ plays last night. Oh, well. Life and times of the 2008-09 Pacers.

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Game Thread #38: Indiana Pacers at Utah Jazz

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