It's game day, people!

The Indiana Pacers open the season against the Atlanta Hawks tonight. So far, we have to assume Danny Granger's doubtful status will keep him on the bench and make an already tough task to be the Hawks even more daunting.

After the jump, enjoy a bunch of links with some last second previews, and team reports along with a video with the Pacers giving you reasons to believe in them (McBeard is back, baby!):

• PACERS: Pacers-Hawks preview 091028
  Bruno checks in with how the Pacers will deal without having Danny Granger available against the Hawks.
• 5 reasons this season will be better
  Mighty Mike Wells gives us five reasons for an optimistic view of the Pacers.
• Pacers in playoffs? Yep, count me in |
  Bob Kravitz is talking playoffs for the Pacers and has Jim O'Brien offer up three keys to making the playoffs. With health as one of those keys, the playoff run is off to a rocky start.
• Pacers' mantra: Restore the D
  Mike Wells takes an in-depth look at the Pacers restoration project at the defensive end.
• 5 wacky minutes with Troy Murphy
  Mike Wells checks in with Troy Murphy for some light-hearted answers about his life in the NBA.
• A look at the Eastern Conference
  Mike Wells looks at the Eastern Conference and offers up his thoughts on the Pacers' chances of making the playoffs.
• David Stern talks
  J.A. Adande asks the NBA commissioner a few questions on opening night for True Hoop.
• Defense No. 1 issue facing Indiana Pacers entering 2009-2010 NBA regular season
  John Oehser offers up his thoughts on the Pacers quest to improve at the defensive end this year.
• The Inconsistent Troy Murphy and the Consistent Pacers " The Wages of Wins Journal
  Dave Berri runs his numbers on the Pacers which always produces some interesting insights worth debate.
• NBA season preview: Eastern Conference
  Jason Owens previews the Eastern Conference for San Diego News Network. He loves Danny Granger but not the Pacers playoff chances.
• Hardwood Paroxysm " LION FACE/LEMON FACE PREVIEWPALOOZA: Central Division
  Rob Mahoney preview the Central Division with plenty of style.