Coach Jim O'Brien's attempt to push the tempo and wear opposing teams out isn't working out too well.
It's not that the Pacers aren't pushing the tempo, it's that O'Brien is being stubborn when it comes to turning to his bench. O'Brien continues to use just an eight-man rotation. He'll occasionally use rookie center Roy Hibbert or point guard Travis Diener for a few minutes each game, but for the most part, it's just eight players getting the majority of the minutes. The right move would seem to be to go 10 players deep so that you can continue to throw fresh bodies on the court and gradually wear the opponent out. The starters would be fresh late in games, and it would also show trust in the reserves.
The Pacers might have tired legs Saturday at Orlando after losing an overtime game to Charlotte on Friday night. Seven players played at least 24 minutes with a seventh -- Rasho Nesterovic -- playing 15 minutes and a ninth player -- Roy Hibbert -- playing just four minutes.
BOBCATS 115, PACERS 108 (OT): The Bobcats scored the first seven points of overtime, and the Pacers didn't get any closer than three the rest of the way. Bobcats point guard Raymond Felton had his way against the Pacers, as he tied his career high with 31 points. Forward Danny Granger had 35 points for the Pacers, but foul trouble limited him to four points in the fourth quarter and in overtime.
