And these pics are not a true indication of the depth of the Pacers lineup. No Artest, maybe JO? And Sarunas definitely will be contibuting off the bench. Not sure whether AJ will be starting by then either.

The Pacers starting lineup Wednesday was Anthony Johnson-Stephen Jackson-Peja Stojakovic-Jeff Foster-David Harrison, with Tinsley, Granger, and O'Neal coming off the bench. As for the "Sarunas definitely will be contributing off the bench", well, all of that came true except the "definitely will be contributing off" part. Jasikevicius has fallen out of the rotation for generally sucking.

Had you even looked at the date of the post, you would have known the pics. Truth about Sarunas, though.

The Stats are current.

I hate the Pacers.

with Dallas' loss last night, and the spurs loss on Wednesday night, we've got an opportunity to create a little breathing room with a win tonight.

there's no question that we are the better team and should be able to win even on their home floor. but obviously the pacers are motivated (they hate us too, and they are still jockeying for playoff position: big difference between playing NJ in the first round and Miami), they always play us tough, and their defensive intensity will help create a playoff style tempo and atmosphere.

all in all, the game presents a superb opportunity for the Pistons to build on what they did in the 2nd half against Miami, to develop some of the facets of their game they'll need come playoff time, and to send a message to EC foes that nobody really has a chance against us in the EC playoffs.

Now we'll see if they actually show up to capitalize on the opportunity...

We really need to win this game.

First, make it a statement game to J O'Neal. Let him understand that he just cannot say stuff on national tv that he like their chances playing us in the playoffs. In addition, a win for Pistons will indirectly letting O'Neal know that the only way that the Pacers can beat us is to play without him (since the only time they beat us this season is without him).

Second, a loss for the Pacers means that it may eventually pushes their seeding to 7th in the conference. If it happens, it means they will play the Heat in the 1st round. Even if the Pacers can't beat the Heat, at least they will play them tough throughout the series. It may take 6-7 games to decide the winner. Then, Heat have to face the other bogey team, the Nets in the ECSF. The Nets always play them tough. Another series that might go to 6-7 games. By then, the Heat especially Shaq will get be so tired to face the Pistons.

ECF, Pistons to beat Heat in 5 games if Heat have to go thru Pacers and Nets. Pistons in 6 if the Heat go thru other teams.

Back to this game, as usual, keep them off the offensive boards and play DETROIT BASKETBALL DEFENSE, we shall win this game pretty easy.

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DETROIT BASKETBALL

This game will have the same intensity we saw in the wednesday game with Miami. I think the Pistons will have more energy in this game than the last time they played in Indy.

Last game in Indy was on the 2nd night of a back to back, and in the 2nd half Detroit tanked it and Indy rode their energy to a win. I do look forward to seeing German play and see how both teams Match up in a intense battle. This game will be close and the first team to 80 or 90 will win this game.

I think this game of course is much bigger for the Pacers, and it will show guys will come out playing with a bunch of energy and will jump on the Pistons early, it will level out and I expect Detroit to pull this one out in the end. The team who rebounds better might decide the game, the Pistons can't allow the offensive boards to be taken away again, so I have the Pistons 89 Indy 84.

GO PISTONS!!!!!!!!!!!!

I would love to see J.O held to under 10 points and a double digit victory. That would be SOOOO satisfying!