Pacers coach Jim O'Brien will have to make a starting lineup decision once power forward Troy Murphy returns from his bruised lower back. Indiana is 3-0 since Murphy went down against Denver on Nov. 3. The Pacers are on a three-game winning streak because O'Brien went from using a traditional lineup to a small lineup, which has Danny Granger starting at power forward. O'Brien could be forced to make his decision soon because Murphy could return for Saturday's game against the Boston Celtics. The small lineup usually forces opposing teams to go small also. The switch often favors the Pacers because they don't really have a low-post presence and they rely more on pushing the tempo and shooting three-pointers. It will be hard for O'Brien not to start Murphy when he returns because he's an excellent rebounder and his three-point shooting allows him to space the court.
Dahntay Jones, who is averaging almost 16 points a game as a starter, will likely go back to the bench if O'Brien elects to go back to Murphy.
PACERS 108, WARRIORS 94: The Pacers overcame 13 straight missed field goals in the fourth quarter to get their third straight victory. Forward Danny Granger had 31 points and a career-high 16 rebounds for the Pacers, who led by as many as 21 points.
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