What we don't know still exceeds what we do, but at least there's more information about Danny Granger's scary departure in the final minute of last night's game against the Bobcats.
Results of a CT scan on Granger's head and neck were negative, very good news indeed, and he was examined and released from Methodist Hospital last night, said a statement from the team. He definitely will miss tonight's game against the Cavs and his status for upcoming games is still being evaluated.
Just exactly how Granger was injured, in fact, is part of the mystery. With the Pacers leading 97-91 and the shot clock winding down with just over a minute remaining, he drove the middle of the lane but his shot bounced off the back iron.
Trailing the play, Dahntay Jones elevated over Granger's back in an attempt to dunk the putback but missed. At some point in the ensuing scrum with three other players under the basket, Granger took a blow to the upper right cheekbone.
He turned to head upcourt in obvious discomfort, trying to clear his head but wobbled toward the Pacers bench, falling in a heap to the floor before reaching his chair. He was attended to by the team's training staff for a few minutes before Josh McRoberts and assistant trainer Carl Eaton helped him to the locker room for further examination.
Afterward, his teammates were just as curious about what happened as the media inquisitors.
"Everything happened so fast I didn't even see what happened to Danny," said Jones. "Nobody really knows. I guess (he was going) for a rebound and he got hit somehow."
No doubt there will be further updates as more information becomes available, so be sure to stay tuned.
Streaking at home, slumping on the road
Though it has taken more than two weeks to accomplish, the Pacers actually have a three-game winning streak at home, beating the Bobcats, 76ers and Bulls.
The problem is, they've lost eight in a row on the road as they head into Cleveland – where they've lost nine in a row dating back to 2004. The Cavs have won 23 in a row against teams with losing records.
Mix in Granger's absence, and this one is taking on the feel of a 1-16 matchup in the NCAA tournament.
"Certainly we have a tall order (tonight) against Cleveland without Danny," said Coach Jim O'Brien, "but our guys will compete and see if we can't put ourselves in position to win a game on the road."
In their three-game home win streak, the Pacers have allowed 93.3 points. In their eight-game road losing streak, they've allowed 111.3.
"We’ve got to bring that to a halt," said Troy Murphy. "We’re giving the effort, we just haven’t gotten the results that we needed to get a W on the road. We hope to change that (in Cleveland), but it will take a real big effort because we are playing a great basketball team."
Opportunity for Dunleavy to step up
Granger's absence could offer Mike Dunleavy a chance to build on his solid performance against the Bobcats. In 28 minutes, he scored 15 points and made 3-of-6 from the 3-point line, his most points (and 3-pointers made) since Feb. 19 in New Orleans.
In his previous 10 appearances, Dunleavy had averaged 6.0 points on 37 percent shooting overall, 23 percent from the arc.
"He played with a nice rhythm," said O'Brien. "It was a game that we knew we had to go to more of a passing game because they pack in the paint so much we had to extend away from the paint. It's nice to see Michael playing where he's scoring and moving well and making shots. It was a good night for him."
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