IC Cold Links: Head Questionable Against Hornets, Dunleavy Will Continue To Come Off The Bench

Mike Dunleavy is getting back into a basketball rhythm after nearly a month of floating through the Indiana Pacers' offense like a ghost.

After blending into the background with limited playing time and an unrecognizable shot, Dunleavy is finally surging again, helped by the resurrection of star Danny Granger along with the full healing of his own injuries.

But don't expect coach Jim O'Brien to change his lineup to incorporate Dunleavy back into the starting lineup. And it's not just O'Brien's decision. Dunleavy doesn't care either.  According to the Indianapolis Star, O'Brien plans to keep Dunleavy with the second unit using him to keep the ball moving and provide leadership to a very young unit. Also, something that many basketball players tend to forget, it's about who finishes the game, not who starts it.

Tonight's home matchup with the Hornets presents an opportunity for Dunleavy to move up to the starting position as Luther Head is questionable with an ankle injury. But after last night's win in New Jersey, O'Brien said Brandon Rush will probably get the nod after putting together a great game with 15 points on 5-for-5 shooting, grabbing six rebounds and dishing five assists in 33 minutes.

"For Mike, who is a veteran, I think he's more interested in finishing the game than starting the game," O'Brien said. "Mike Dunleavy knows who he is and knows how much respect I have for who he is and what he brings. I've talked to him about starting and coming off the bench, and he couldn't care less."

Check out the links after the jump.

• AP Story
• Box Score
• NBA.com Recap
• PACERS: Inside the Game: Pacers 121, Nets 105
• The Pacers post gives us the lowdown on some stats from Friday's win (the Pacers made double-figure 3-pointers [13] for the fifth consecutive game) as well as some quotes from the heroes in blue and gold. Here's Roy Hibbert on playing with a lead, rather than clawing back from a deficit: "You know, we're a scrappy team and unfortunately these types of games we start off kind of slow but we came back and won the game. Its nice to get that cushion and be able to build off that type of lead, instead of having to fight back in these types of games."
• Third consecutive victory has Pacers wanting more
  Jeff Rabjohns recaps the win as he writes about the Pacers loving their recent winning ways of a three-game winning streak along with pulling off five of their last eight.
• NETS: Harris Starts Strong, But Pacers Race By Nets
  The Nets site tries to put somewhat of a positive spin on this one. Not gonna happen.
• NJ Nets drop 121-105 loss to Indiana Pacers despite good game from Devin Harris
  The Star-Ledger recaps the game for Nets fans.
• Raptors' Chris Bosh assigned same locker as NBA All-Stars during trip to Madison Square Garden
  The New York Daily News reports that Knicks' GM Donnie Walsh is bringing in former commandant and Pacers front-office man Mel Daniels for a trial run in his office. The temporary position could lead to a permanent job with the Knicks.
• Pacers-Nets Recap: Easy Win, Easy Everything; Pacers Hand It To Nets, 121-105
  Always Miller Time focuses on the easiness of Indiana's ways in New Jersey last night.
• Williams indicted on drug charges
  The Indy Star's notebook talks about former Pacers forward Shawne Williams and his most recent run-in with the law. Also mentioned are some promotional items being run by the Pacers.
• IndyStar.com | Pacers Insider
  Rabjohns uses the Pacers blog to dive into the recent numbers over the course of the Pacers three-game winning streak.
• Hornets-Pacers Preview
  CBSSports previews tonight's matchup at Conseco "Reggie Miller" Fieldhouse.