Indiana Pacers F-G Danny Granger
The improved shooting of F Danny Granger was far from the only reason the Indiana Pacers won their third consecutive game Wednesday night.
But it sure didn't hurt, either.
On a night when Indiana sustained yet another injury to yet another key player, Granger took steps toward ending an early-season slump, shooting 50 percent, scoring 32 points and leading the Pacers (3-3) to a 108-94 victory over Golden State (2-5) in front of 10,682 at Conseco Fieldhouse.
“Sometimes, it takes time to get into the flow of the game,” Granger said. “Everybody goes through a slump occasionally, but I know if I keep putting it up sooner or later it's going to all come together.
“I hope tonight is a good indicator of what I'm going to do from here on out.”
The victory was the third in succession for the Pacers following three losses to start the season.
It also was their third victory in succession by 10 or more points following three consecutive losses by at least that total to start the season.
PACERS 108, WARRIORS 94 | PHOTO GALLERY
With Granger shooting 8 of 12 for 17 first-half points, the Pacers took control early and led, 64-47 at halftime. The Warriors pulled to within seven, 98-91, with 3:00 remaining, they could get no closer.
“I think our guys have shown they will compete for 48 minutes,” Pacers coach Jim O'Brien said. “Our guys did what was necessary to be able to get a win.”
And they did so despite an injury to PG T.J. Ford, who entered the game improving significantly over the last week, but left it with back spasms in the first quarter.
O'Brien said there was no update on Ford's status Wednesday, adding that with F Troy Murphy, F-G Mike Dunleavy, F Eric Foster and G Travis Diener injured, the Pacers won't practice Thursday.
“We wouldn't be able to field enough guys to practice,” he said.
As notable as the Pacers' injuries early in the season has been their defense. After allowing 106 points per game in their opening three games, the Pacers have allowed 89, 86 and 94 points in their last three games.
The Warriors (2-5) entered averaging 110.66 points per game, second in the NBA, and scored 146 points in a victory over the Timberwolves Monday.
“It's great, especially Golden State – regardless of their record, they put up a lot of points,” Granger said.”They scored 146 the other night, so it says something about how our defense has improved.”
Granger said instead of setting for perimeter shots early, he focused on driving to the basket. He shot 4 of 6 in the first quarter and in the second. After entering the game shooting 38.7 percent, he finished Wednesday night 12 of 24 from the field.
“I just tried to switch it up,” Granger said. “Sometimes if I push a few threes and miss it at the beginning of the game I startoff bad.I started trying to take it to the goal first. I got a layup, hit a few mid-range jump shots and tried to stay away from a whole lot of 3-pointers. It was effective."
He also had a career-high 16 rebounds.
“Troy [Murphy] is such a dominant rebounder that a lot of us sometimes forget to rebound,” Granger said. “I was just in a rebounding mode, wanting to clear the glass. Murph is a huge part of our rebounding and I was playing his position. I just picked it up for him.”
Also:
* Pacers F Tyler Hansbrough, the No. 13 overall selection in the 2009 NBA Draft, scored 11 points and had 11 rebounds Wednesday. He had 13 points Friday in his NBA debut. “I feel like I did some good things, but I also did some bad things,” Hansbrough said. “I'm still trying to get in the flow of things. The more I play and the more experience I get, the more I can help this team.”
* With Ford out, Earl Watson played 35:09 at the point for Indiana, scoring 16 points on 4 of 6 shooting. “I knew I had to get into the flow of the game no matter what and take leadership on the court,” he said.
* Of Watson, O'Brien said, “He does a terrificly solid job running the show.”
* Granger was told afterward this was the Pacers' first three-game winning streak in a year. “We're going to make it four against Boston,” he said. “That's the plan.”
* Granger liked that the Pacers kept the Warriors from cutting the lead past seven in the fourth quarter. “There's a resilience we need to build long-term,” he said.
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