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BOBCATS VS. PACERS
5 p.m., Time Warner Cable Arena
TV: Fox Sports Carolinas*. Radio: WFNZ-AM 610
Projected Starters
|
Bobcats |
Pacers |
|||||||
|
Po |
Player |
Reb |
Pts |
Po |
Player |
Reb |
Pts |
|
|
G |
R. Felton |
2.8 |
10.5 |
G |
T. Ford |
4.4 |
10.0 |
|
|
G |
S. Jackson |
6.0 |
20.3 |
G |
B. Rush |
4.6 |
7.8 |
|
|
F |
G. Wallace |
11.4 |
13.9 |
F |
D. Jones |
4.3 |
17.4 |
|
|
F |
B. Diaw |
5.3 |
13.0 |
F |
D. Granger |
6.9 |
24.8 |
|
|
C |
T. Chandler |
6.5 |
6.1 |
C |
R. Hibbert |
8.7 |
11.9 |
|
* Might not be available on all cable systems.
Matchup to Watch
Danny Granger vs. Gerald Wallace: Granger is among the best scoring small forwards in the NBA. Wallace has a growing reputation as a defender. This would be a great time for a shut-down job.
Observations
Former North Carolina star Tyler Hansbrough, now a Pacers' rookie, is struggling to make shots; he was just 35 percent from the field in his first five games. However, he's still effective earning trips to the foul line (about five free-throw attempts per game).
No team blocks more shots than the Pacers this season (8.33 per game) and only the Rockets get their shots blocked more than the Bobcats (7.3 per game).
The Bobcats were hoping Roy Hibbert might be available with the first-round pick that became Alexis Ajinca two drafts ago. Hibbert is rounding into one of the NBA's better young centers, averaging nearly a double-double, plus about 21/2 blocks per game.
Dahntay Jones was a nice player at Duke, but I never would have imagined him among NBA scoring leaders, averaging 17 points a game. He's developed into a very good shooter - 48 percent from the field and 40 percent from 3-point range.
Tap-ins
The Bobcats were off Saturday, so no telling whether there could be a lineup shift at point guard. Coach Larry Brown said the offense ran more efficiently under Flip Murray.
There seems to be a clear intent to play rookie Derrick Brown more.
The Bobcats took a season-high 43 free throws against the Bucks, yet generated only 26 points at the line.
Did you know?
The first NBA coach in Charlotte history, Dick Harter, is still going strong as a Pacers assistant. Harter was hired by then-Charlotte Hornets general manager Carl Scheer in 1988. This is Harter's third stint on the Indiana bench, this time with longtime friend Jim O'Brien. Harter previously worked there for Jack Ramsey and Larry Bird.
Rick Bonnell
