NBA Franchise of the Year: Passion. Pride. Pacers.

[Deviant]

You know, as I was playing and they kept knocking down 3 after 3 on me, I thought to myself, "so this is what Deviant was talking about?"

Yeah, decent starting lineup, and they have Peja coming off the bench.

I wouldn't lie... that's just how good their shooters are. However, their weakness is perimeter defense, so you just have to beat them at their own game.

[mfbmike]

Oden's Career Night, Pacers 4th Quarter Collapse Leads To Pacers Loss

Starting Lineups:
T.J. Ford PG Jerryd Bayless
Wally Szczerbiak SG Brandon Roy
Danny Granger SF Travis Outlaw
Chris Wilcox PF Lamarcus Aldridge
Chris Kaman C Greg Oden

(33-30) 105 @ 113 (31-28)


Two of the NBA's brightest young stars, Danny Granger and Lamarcus Aldridge, get ready to meet at the summit.

Top Performers:
Player Of The Game:

Greg Oden

Quote Of The Game:
"It's no secret that the Rose Garden is one of the hardest places to get a win in this league. They rallied behind their home crowd and got a second wind. We were getting pushed around down low and they took this one away from us." - Danny Granger

Next Game:

[mfbmike]

I was in control until the 4th. For as great as Chris Quinn has been for me since acquiring him, he got 3 quick turnovers to start the 4th on bad passes and it went downhill from there.

[mfbmike]

lol, I suppose. I didn't watch the Duke/UNC game.

[mfbmike]

Hibbert Optimistic About Return From Plantar Fascitis



Roy Hibbert underwent an MRI lastnight on his previously injured left foot. Hibbert has not ran for the past 2 weeks due to the inflammation in his foot but it has since gone down and tests have shown Hibbert can return to the court.

Hibbert's return could not have come at a better time as Chris Kaman, Chris Wilcox, and Sean Williams have begun to show signs of fatigue; getting pushed around in lastnight's matchup against the Blazers and their young big-man tandem in Greg Oden and Lamarcus Aldridge.

The 7'2", 278 pound Georgetown alum is currently averaging 5.8 points a game on 51% shooting, to go with 3.9 rebounds and 1.3 blocks a game this season.

"Roy is a guy who kinda flys under the radar," explained Pacers Head Coach Jim O' Brien. "But he's a big presence in the middle. We are very happy to have him back."

[mfbmike]

Injuries:


Hedo Turkoglu has suffered a broken toe and will be forced to miss 22 days. This comes at a very inopportune time for the Magic as they are barely hanging on to the 8th seed in the Eastern Conference.

Other News:

- Aldridge, Blazers power past Nuggets 108-99
- Kobe's 30 vaults Lakes past T'Wolves 120-104
- K.G.'s heroics leads Celts to 109-108 win over Cavaliers
- Ilgauskas happy to return from strained MCL

[mfbmike]

Pacers Manage To Hang On Against Battered And Bruised Clippers

Starting Lineups:
T.J. Ford PG Jamaal Tinsley
Wally Szczerbiak SG Eric Gordon
Danny Granger SF Al Thornton
Chris Wilcox PF Zach Randolph
Chris Kaman C Marcus Camby

(33-31) 103 @ 101 (35-27)


Chris Wilcox recorded a monster double double against the team that selected him 8th overall in the 2002 NBA draft.

Top Performers:
Player Of The Game:

Chris Wilcox

Quote Of The Game:
"We managed to get out in front early on against them. Without Baron or Mike (Dunleavy), this should've been an easy win. Instead it was the second game in a row where we've really struggled to close out the other team. We have to step up that aspect of our games with the playoffs drawing closer and closer. Luckily, we were able to make it out of this one alive." - Chris Wilcox

Next Game:

[LC AAU]

I see DerMarr! and nice win.

[Primetime]

Damn. Nice game and great write up on Hibbert. He should help you out when he gets back. How long is he out still?

[packersfan4eva]

great game vs clippers. hibbert will help u inside so much.

[mfbmike]

I see DerMarr! and nice win.

LOL wow, it's like where's waldo to you. He is way on the end of the bench, behind the backboard and you still find him. hahaha.

Damn. Nice game and great write up on Hibbert. He should help you out when he gets back. How long is he out still?

great game vs clippers. hibbert will help u inside so much.

He'll be back for my next game against Utah. I mean it though, Kaman gets tired so often lately because of the increased minutes. Hibbert is retarded tall and helps a lot. Having Hibbert and Williams in the 2nd unit is fun. :D

[mfbmike]

Pacers Weekly Stats Update:

Starters:


Reserves:


(Red name denotes currently injured)



Players Of The Week:

Western Conference


Carmelo Anthony - Denver Nuggets

Eastern Conference


Lebron James - Cleveland Cavaliers

Weekly Conference Standings Update:



1. (42-21)

2. (41-22)

3. (42-23)

4. (38-24)

5. (35-28)

6. (35-28)

7. (33-30)

8. (32-21)

9. (31-31)

10. (32-33)

11. (29-34)

12. (29-34)

13. (29-34)

14. (21-41)

15. (21-42)



1. (39-24)

2. (39-25)

3. (38-26)

4. (36-26)

5. (36-26)

6. (35-27)

7. (34-31)

8. (32-31)

9. (29-35)

10. (28-38)

11. (27-37)

12. (28-38)

13. (22-42)

14. (21-41)

15. (19-44)

[mfbmike]

Injuries:


Joe Johnson recently suffered a lower back strain and will be out for 15 days. The Pacers matchup against the Hawks later this week and this will certainly help their cause.

Other News:

- Bayless' 21 helps bring down Lakers
- Suns dethroned in Power Rankings; Lakers back at #1
- Cavs down Heat 97-91; end Heat's winning streak at 6
- Grizzlies struggle against Rockets; lose 8th straight
- Amare: ready to play

[Yawkey Way]

oh baby 7th seed and rising, i played a game earlier with the Pacers and Hibbert was ridiculous, he made everything. GL

[mfbmike]

Can't believe i haven't looked at your chise for a few days, looks like your Pacers are going strong....as i predicted many times before, you'll make playoffs.....

Yeah, the schedule seems a lot easier now than it did in the 1st half of the season.

oh baby 7th seed and rising, i played a game earlier with the Pacers and Hibbert was ridiculous, he made everything. GL

lol yeah, he's pretty beast down there. He towers over everyone it feels like. I've also managed to drain some mid range jumpers with him over the course of the season.