@ Time: 8:00 Place: Conseco Field House Tv: Local ========================== Probable Starting Lineups: Chauncey Billups/Kenny Anderson Richard Hamilton/Reggie Miller Tayshuan Prince/Ron Artest Ben Wallace/Jermaine Oneal Elden Campbell/Jeff Foster ========================= Injury Report: Det- SG-Hubert Davis-Thumb -R SF-Darvin Ham-Wrist-IR SG-Lindsey Hunter-Knee-IR Indy- SF-Jonathan Bender-Knee-IR PG-Jamaal-Tinsley-Back-IR ============================= Notes: Det- The Pistons have lost their mojo lately, losing four in a row, averaging 78.5 points a game. They'll bounce back, but when? Ind- Jermaine O'Neal keeps raising his level of play as a next generation version of Kevin Garnett, but they still have to get their guard play consistent to reach the next level. *Thanks to Powerrankings for the notes ==================================== Key Bench Players Det- <ul> [*]Mehmet Okur is back on Larry Brown's good side and is averaging 9.7 Points Per Game and 7.3 Rebounds Per Game [*]Corliss Williamson is averaging 8.0 Points Per Game and 3.1 Rebounds Per Game [*]Chucky Atkins is averaging 4ppg, 1rpg, and 1.9apg [/list] Indy- <ul> [*]Al Harrington is averaging 12.9ppg and 6.7rpg [*]Anthony Johnson is averaging 4.6ppg and 3apg [*]Austin Croshere is averaging 4.4ppg and 2.9rpg [/list] ======================== Players to Watch: Det- <ul> [*]Ben Wallace has upped his offensive skills and gets 12.4RPG, the Pistions need his Defense to stay in this game. [*]Richard Hamilton is the main scorer on the team and he will need to have a big game for a win [/list] Indy- <ul> [*]Jermaine Oneal is becoming an Elite PF in this league and he will need to dominate this game for the W. [*]Ron Artest is an amazing defender and can score when he is needed to, the Pacers will need him to score in this one. [/list] ========================== Keys to the Game: Det- This game is going to be won off turnovers because both these teams have great defenders on them and who ever is more careful with the pull will pull out the W. Ben Wallace needs to hit the boards tonight and he will need to score to help out Chauncey and Rip. Indy- The Pacers are one of the best defensive teams in the leauge. They will also need to hit the boards and Jermaine O'neal better box out Ben Wallace on the Offensive Glass or this could be a long night for JO. ============================= Prediction: INdy wins this one close 89-86
