Good news for Roy Hibbert: Andrew Bynum is expected to play Wednesday night when the Lakers visit the Pacers in Conseco Fieldhouse.
Good news?
Well, at least in the sense that the 7-0, 285-pound Bynum represents a more comparable physical matchup for the 7-2, 278-pound Hibbert. After chasing around smaller, more active players like Chicago's Carlos Boozer and Atlanta's Al Horford the past couple of games, Hibbert couldn't be blamed if he welcomed the chance to play against someone his own size.
Hibbert totaled 12 points and 11 rebounds while shooting 5-of-21 (.238) in consecutive losses to the Bulls and Hawks. Horford and Boozer combined for 38 points and 36 rebounds.
"We got dominated in both games. There's no way of sugar-coating that," said Coach Jim O'Brien. "It's a learning experience for our guys. We played against two front lines – Horford's an All-Star, Josh Smith might be the best power forward in the league right now, and then come against Chicago with (Joakim) Noah and Boozer, All-Star and very good player – and we got manhandled at the start of the game.
"That's part of the growth process for our bigs and I think they will grow. We have a lot of pride and we don't like losing the way we have the last couple of games."
Bynum had surgery to repair torn knee cartilage on July 28 and missed the first 24 games of the season. He was expected to make his first appearance tonight when the Lakers faced the Wizards in Washington.
In the Pacers' 95-92 victory over the Lakers in L.A. on Nov. 28, Hibbert was matched up primarily with Paul Gasol and had 24 points and 12 rebounds. He has had just one double-double since and has slumped to averages of 10.6 points and 5.0 rebounds in December as the Pacers have gone 2-5.
Hibbert said he had success against the Lakers "just being aggressive from the start."
"I think I've gone away from that," he said. "I haven't been as aggressive as I wanted to be after the West Coast trip so it's going to be a good test.
"I'm not sure (why). I'm going to go back and watch some tape, do some soul-searching and really think about what happened, try to get back on track. … When I figure it out, I'll let you know. For me, at least, I haven't been having too many good games and I have to pick it back up."
Granger good to go against Lakers
Minus their leading scorer, the Pacers scored a season-low 73 points Monday in Chicago. But Danny Granger said after Tuesday's practice he will play against the Lakers.
"It's still sore but I'm going to give it a go tomorrow," he said of his sprained left ankle. "I'm feeling good, a little swelling but nothing I shouldn't be able to manage."
Granger said he didn't think the injury would hamper him.
"Sprained ankles are part of the game, you know, bumps and bruises," he said. "I wouldn't really say limited, it's just one other thing you've got to deal with. We've still got to try to go out and get the win."
Pacers trying for rare sweep
The Pacers have the chance to sweep the season series from the Lakers for the first time since 1991-92, when both teams were in different arenas (Market Square Arena in Indianapolis, The Forum in L.A.).
Because of their victory in L.A. in November, which snapped a 14-game losing streak in Staples Center, the Pacers know the challenge Wednesday night will be even greater than normal.
"I think they're going to be a little more focused than usual," said Granger, "but they're going to be on our home court and it would be great to sweep 'em so we're going for the sweep so it should be a good game."
"I know they're looking for blood and we're just going to have to go out there and battle," said Hibbert. "This is a big one for us."
Kobe Bryant was 14-of-33 in that game as the Pacers held the Lakers to 38.6 percent shooting.
"We're not going to sneak up on them again after beating them in L.A.," said O'Brien. "It's another chance for us to grow as a basketball team and while we're growing it gives you a chance to win a game against a very, very good basketball team."
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