Seems like more people in the upper level than in past games. Plenty of cheap tickets available, at least more people are showing up.

Big ups to the Kitley Intermediate Orchestra string section for knocking out the National Anthem. Middle school strings never squeaked less.

Bobcats start small with Jared Dudley at forward and Emeka Okafor at center.

Danny Granger drains his first shot, a 3-ball, picking up right where he left off last night. Good sign.

Flip and Foster pick and roll, a thing of beauty. Didn't think I'd ever type that phrase, especailly two months ago.

Oops, I just let out an "Ohh!!!" You'll know why when you see the break-away 360 dunk from Jason Richardson on SportsCenter tonight.

7:45 - Pacers down 17-9. Clanky, clanky. Going to have to keep grinding until Charlotte relents.

Dun, Flip, Granger..19-17 Charlotte, Bobcats take a TO. Flip can just create works of art getting to the bucket sometimes.

Seat upgrade contest. Oh, no contest. Instead a couple just had to go to mid-court with Boomer and endure a little public embarrassment, then the courtside seats were theirs. Not a bad deal.

Pace is pretty good, much better than last night. Start hitting some shots and the Pacers should be fine. Thanks, Flip right on cue. Charlotte up 23-22 with 4:07 left in 1Q.

Jermaine O'Neal enters game with 3:42 left in game. He seemed poised to play more than 20 minutes last night, but they ended up not needing it. We'll see what happens tonight. First possession, J.O. scores!

TO - Pacemates kickin' it to a little Patti Labelle, 'New Attitude' remix. Firing up that 45-60 year old woman demo.

Jason Richardson is so freakin' athletic. Fortunately he likes to stay around the arc and pop 3-balls. He's 2 of 5 from 3-land. Yeah, it's still the first quarter. His jumper is a thing of beauty, though.

End 1Q: Pacers 33, Bobcats 32

Granger with 11 and Flip with 9, lead the way.

After 1Q in Atlanta: Celtics 30, Hawks 22