The Pacers are back at the Fieldhouse tonight for the first of two home games before hitting the road for a week. The Memphis Grizzlies come to town struggling just like the Pacers, so the W is there for the taking if the Pacers take care of their business. I'm just excited to be able to watch the game tonight after missing a couple of weeks of action.
Here's Bruno's Scouting Report with more info on how the Pacers hope to avoid future late game collapses. Making shots is a good start. But if the shots aren't falling, how about having someone make something happen and try to draw a foul or two? Embrace the free throw.
For a Grizz perspective, check out 3 Shades of Blue for a nice preview of the game tonight. Suddenly, I feel better about the Pacers' chances in this one.
Here's what the efficiency numbers say:
| Team | Pace | Off.Eff. | Def.Eff. |
|---|---|---|---|
| IND | 96.5(3rd) | 106.6(16th) | 107.5(15th) |
| MEM | 92.9(8th) | 107.5(15th) | 112.7(29th) |
The Pacers pace has dropped during the four-game losing streak. Memphis should offer plenty of opportunities to control the pace get the offensive production flowing.
Projected Starters
| PACERS | pos. | GRIZZLIES |
|---|---|---|
| Jermaine O'Neal | F | Pau Gasol |
| Danny Granger | F | Rudy Gay |
| Troy Murphy | C | Darko Milicic |
| Mike Dunleavy | G | Mike Miller |
| Andre Owens | G | Damon Stoudamire |
Feel free to leave your thoughts on the game in the comments.