IC Cold Links: Pacers Have To Come Together After Dismantling By Lakers

The Pacers hit the road earlier this week saying all of the right things. There was talk of looking forward to the challenge of playing four elite teams from the Western Conference teams and letting it rip with a we-got-nothing-to-lose mind set.

That brave, united front evaporated in a matter of minute during the third quarter of last night's game. Now the team that has rarely been able to get it together on the court this season, appears to be ripping apart at the seams.

Read more about it in today's links, but quickly we have Mike Dunleavy frustrated with the play of at least a few teammates and even more frustrated with his current role. He beats around the bush with his laments but there seems to be some tension below the surface with how he's being (or not being) used. Of course, Duns has caught his share of front iron over the past couple of months so it's not like he has earned major minutes.

Then we have JOB coming closer to ripping Josh McRoberts than simply dismissing his career-high scoring game against the Lakers. JOB seems defensive about keeping McRoberts buried on the bench even though his spot minutes bring an energy to the floor the team could desperately need.

Then there's the annoying side shows with T.J. Ford yucking it up at taco time in STAPLES with the game out of hand and Dahntay Jones taking far too many hold-for-three-seconds-and-then-shoot jumpers.

Should be interesting to see what kind of fight this team shows tonight in Portland.

• AP game report
• PACERS: Inside the Game: Lakers 122, Pacers 99
  Bruno's Inside the Game report has all of the late night numbers, notes, quotes and highlights.
• Pacers doomed in 3rd quarter
  Mike Wells reports on the Pacers getting steam-rolled in the third quarter last night. JOB was in no mood to glance at any silver linings, calling the effort off the bench by Josh McRoberts irrelevant.
• Lakers hit the switch against Pacers, 122-99
  Mike Bresnahan reports: "For better or worse, the Lakers continued their habit of joining games in progress but winning them as well. It's not a technique recommended against, say, Cleveland, though it worked against Indiana."
• Ron Artest Is Picking Chunks of Danny Granger Out of His Teeth
  SS&R is enjoyed Ronnie's defense and Dahntay's offense.
• Lakers hit the switch against Pacers, 122-99
  Mike Bresnahan reports: "For better or worse, the Lakers continued their habit of joining games in progress but winning them as well. It's not a technique recommended against, say, Cleveland, though it worked against Indiana."
• Knee healthy but Dunleavy's productivity ailing
  Bruno's Caught In The Web finds a Mike Dunleavy feeling fine physically by also feeling frustrated by his lack of production off the bench for the Pacers. He's a player that thrives on ball and player movement and when the team's play is stagnant he's stuck shooting jumpers, many of which he's been missing of late.
• O'Brien doesn't want to praise McRoberts
  Wells posts a little more on JOB's reluctance to admit Josh McRoberts wasn't half bad on Tuesday. Also hits on T.J. Ford mailing it in and Ron Artest shutting down Danny Granger.
• Lakers show more bark than bite
  Mark Heisler comments on the Lakers taking their time before getting serious and disposing of the Pacers.
• Dunleavy feels out of sorts on court
  Mike Wells checks in with a frustrated Mike Dunleavy who can't get his game going in the current playing rotation.
• Los Angeles Lakers' Pau Gasol scores points for cancer cause
  Plenty of support for the Hoops for St. Jude movement last night in Los Angeles.
• NBA Power Rankings: Where We Show Every Team Some Love
  Mike Prada has a nice twist on the power rankings this week, offering up a positive note even for the bottom dwellers. On the Pacers: "Who knew that Indiana's best point guard this season would be A.J. Price? I sure didn't. However, I think you can easily make that case. T.J. Ford's numbers are better, but Ford's also a selfish player who doesn't do anything to set up his teammates. Earl Watson has more veteran savvy, but he can't shoot or penetrate. Price might be the team's best point guard. Unfortunately, he's racking up DNP-CDs for some reason. I'd love for someone to explain this to me."
• Teams Prepare for NBA's Ping Pong Derby
  Tom Ziller looks at the current lottery situation and how teams will find a way to tank games while trying not to leave any evidence of a tank job after the final buzzer.