On paper, the Pacers shouldn't have a problem with the Bobcats on Wednesday. They have a better record and the game is being played at Conseco Fieldhouse.
But it's not going to be that easy for the Pacers because the Bobcats have already beaten them twice this season with fourth-quarter comebacks. The Pacers can't afford to have a letdown against Charlotte. They're three games behind Atlanta for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference and are trying to remain in striking distance.
The problem the Pacers might run into is that they have a difficult time defending Charlotte's athleticism.
Defense is a distant second to offense for the Pacers. They've allowed at least 102 points in 13 of 14 games since the All-Star break.
The Pacers usually don't struggle when they're able to score from the perimeter, but they have problems when Mike Dunleavy and Danny Granger aren't scoring. The two combined for 60 of Indiana's 110 points against New York on Monday.
PACERS 110, KNICKS 98: Being stuck on 36 points isn't exactly a bad thing. Just ask Pacers small forward Mike Dunleavy.
Dunleavy tied his career high of 36 points against the Knicks to help the Pacers get off to a successful start in a three-game homestand against teams with losing records.
Dunleavy, who is having a career season, scored 36 points against New York in the middle of December in Madison Square Garden.
Dunleavy got some help in the scoring department when shooting guard Danny Granger scored 15 of his 26 points in the fourth quarter as the Pacers pulled away.
