IC Cold Links: Blazers, Pacers Prepare To Play Through Injury Setbacks

The Portland Trail Blazers arrive at the Fieldhouse tonight, sorting through their own injury woes, joining the Pacers in trying to figure out which combination of remaining healthy players gives them the best chance to win.

The Pacers of course, are without leading scorer Danny Granger and continue to play with Mike Dunleavy on a minutes limit as he returns from his prolonged injury-related absence. Within the past few days, the Blazers have lost Greg Oden for the season and utility wing, Rudy Fernandez for 4-6 weeks. So just what type of game we'll see tonight is anyone's guess, but I imagine the opportunity for playing time should have some reserves brining plenty of energy to the floor to take advantage of their chance to play.

After the jump, plenty of links on the topic including video reaction from Fieldhouse.

• PACERS: Pacers-Blazers preview

• Pacers' offense left with big hole
  Mike Wells reports on the Pacers looking for offensive answers with Danny Granger and his 25 points per game on the shelf. Jim O'Brien wants to push the pace. "I don't think 97 points (a game) is going to make it with our basketball team," the Pacers coach said Tuesday. "It might work if we had a different group of players. We are individually not good enough to slow it down and play paint by numbers."

• PACERS: Pacers Video on losing Danny Granger

• PACERS: Pacers Video on Rush getting another chance to play

• Pacers F Granger out at least 4 weeks
  Cliff Brunt offers up his AP report on Granger's absence.

• Pacers progress hinges on playoff pursuit carrying on minus Granger
  Tony Mejia thinks the Pacers can still win enough games to remain in the playoff race, but some new faces will have to step up and play a larger role.

• Game 23 Preview: Blazers vs. Pacers - Blazersedge
  Dave is expecting all kinds of ugly at the Fieldhouse tonight with two teams trying to find their way amidst recent injury setbacks collide, or at least bump into each other.

• UPDATE: Blazers' Rudy Fernandez out 4 to 6 weeks after back surgery
  Jason Quick reports on the Blazers injury woes increasing with the loss of Rudy Fernandez.

• Memo to Pritchard: No rash moves, please
  Kerry Eggers is preaching patience for the Blazers, imploring the team not to trade their way out of the injuries issues that have them short-handed.

• Conley's drive lifts Grizzlies over Cavs in OT
  Michael Conley has always been one of my favorite local players who seemed to make the game simple for he and his teammates. His NBA career has been a struggle so far, so it was great to see him throw a little hesitation dribble at the Cavs defense before blowing by everyone for the game-winning layup last night.

• Steve Nash Internet Day!
  It's Steve Nash Internet Day, so check in early and often for more.