Starting Lineup for the Indiana Pacers:

PG:  TJ Ford - scratched, day-to-day (groin/hamstring)

SG:  Mike Dunleavy - scratched, zero games played this season due to a knee injury. 

SG part 2:  Marquis Daniels - started, played well, injured in the fourth quarter.

SF:  Danny Granger - finally a starter!

PF:  Troy Murphy - scratched, flu

C:  Rasho Nesterovic - scratched in favor of Jeff Foster.  About an even trade there.

SO, that left Jarret Jack and Brandon Rush as emergency starters for the game along with Daniels, Granger, and Foster.  Jack and Rush are two of the main back ups for this team and with so many people out, depth was an issue.

Be that as it may, you have to play with who you have and that is exactly what Indiana did.  They escaped Golden State's relentless scoring attack by a final of 127-120.

Brandon Rush recorded his first double double with 10 points and 11 rebounds, but only shot 4-of-17, including a blown layup in the closing minutes of the game, when Indiana was trying to increase their lead.

Along with Rush, Jarrett Jack had his best scoring game as a Pacer last night as he finished with 24 points.  My only complaint with Jack (and TJ Ford too) is that he will drive too deep into the lane and then either get called for a charge or throw the ball away/get it stripped away.  He did have a huge three late in the game to give Indiana the lead for good.

Danny Granger.  I can't say enough about this guy.  He scored 41 points last night and really carried the team through some tough moments.  Along with his 41 points, he also logged 11 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 blocks, and 1 steal.  Oh, and he shot 17-for-17 at the free throw line.  As a team, Indiana only missed two of 29 free throws on the night.

A few more game notes:

• Three Pacer players ended up with 11 rebounds.  Granger, Rush, and Jeff Foster.
• Andris Biedrins has one of the ugliest free throw shots in the game.  It looks like he is a second grader trying to push the ball at the basket.
• Marco Belinelli has a sweet shot and it seemed like they all dropped for him.  They didn't, but when the game is close, he will make some teams pay for forgetting about him on the perimeter.
• I just like the way Kelenna Azubuike plays.

The Pacers are now 9-16 (yuck) and have the Clippers coming to town on Friday night.  If they can get that win, then that would be three in a row after losing six straight.  Actually, I feel like they should win their next four games.  Clippers on Friday, @ Philly on Saturday, New Jersey next Tuesday, and then @ Memphis next Friday.  Maybe Indiana can finally snap that Friday night losing streak this week and next!