Indiana @ New York GameThread, Jan 2, 2009 7:30 PM EST

Game Thread # 32: Indiana Pacers at New York Knicks

by Cornrows on Jan 2, 2009 11:30 AM EST in News Comment 72 comments

Indiana @ New York

10-21		12-18
	@
January 2, 2009 - 7:30PM EST
Madison Square Garden
Radio: 1070AM WFNI TV: Fox Sports Indiana
Probable starters:
T.J. Ford	PG	Chris Duhon
Marquis Daniels	SG	Quentin Richardson
Danny Granger	SF	Wilson Chandler
Jeff Foster	PF	David Lee
Roy Hibbert	C	Jared Jeffries

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

The Indiana Pacers ring in the new year at MSG Friday night when they take on the New York Knicks. The Knicks won their previous game at Charlotte on Tuesday to break a then 6-game losing streak.

Former Indiana Mr. Basketball and Bloomington North standout, Jared Jeffries, has started the past two games at center for the Knicks. That's some small ball, people. Kind of funny, since Jeffries played more shooting guard than center when he was in high school at Bloomington North.

The Pacers use of small ball usually works better when they dictate the lineup change. Attempting to match other athletic, small lineups has not worked so well this year. I guess it all depends on what Roy Hibbert and Rasho Nesterovic bring to the Garden party. I actually think the Pacers could go small and matchup well with the Knicks. If JJ is at center, and Roy can't expose the size matchup to the Pacers' advantage, I wouldn't mind seeing Josh McRoberts get a little run. With his athletic game he would still have a size advantage to work with against the Knicks.

Here are the Pacers.com matchups. Al Harrington has had some huge games since coming over New York from Golden State, but recently moved to the bench, now playing a sixth man role. The Pacers appear to be back at full strength (albeit without Mike Dunleavy) with T.J. Ford slated to start after dealing with back issues for the past few games.

For a New York perspective, check out Posting and Toasting and Knickerblogger.

Gameday Reading

Mike Wells catches up with Donnie Walsh who continues to keep a close eye on the Pacers while tending to the Knicks.
MG looks at the schedule and sees pain around the corner so the Pacers really need to win their next two games against the Knicks and Kings.
Al Harrington is looking forward to playing the Pacers. As funny as it sounds, Al is right about the game tonight. For either team to harbor playoff hopes, a win tonight would be big.
Stephon Marbury is no longer playing with the Knicks but this may be the last night he's a distraction since he's reportedly close to joining the Boston Celtics. No doubt Marbury's possible move will be a hot topic among the NYC media at the Garden tonight.
Mark Hale has more on Al's move to the bench.

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

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Comments

Wow!

With JJ starting at center we should try to take advantage of Roy’s size every possession. I’ve been watching JJ for a long time and if there’s one thing he’s not good at it’s defense. Pound him Roy!

by ThirtyOne on Jan 2, 2009 12:49 PM EST reply actions 0 recs