Together, Danny Granger and Roy Hibbert have accounted for 35 percent of the Pacers' offensive output.

When one or the other struggles, then, it could be an issue. When it happens to both, well, you get the team's present situation: a three-game losing streak, a 2-6 record in December and a record (11-13) two games below .500 for the first time this season.

In seven December games (he missed one with a sprained ankle), Granger has averaged 16.3 points, shot 39-of-109 (.358) overall and 8-of-35 (.229) from the 3-point line.

After a very quick start, Hibbert has slipped to averages of 10.8 points and 6.0 rebounds in December.

Their issues are very different but the effects similar.

O'Brien wants movement, leadership from Granger

Coach Jim O'Brien believes the key to Granger's recent slump lies in his movement, or lack thereof.

"I don't think he moves at a level that he should move," said the coach. "We've been talking about this for a long time from the standpoint that when we run our passing game, the only movement he does is towards the basketball, and people know that and they get into him.

"So as a result if he gets the basketball then he gets it with somebody under his chin. When I say moving, there needs to be back-cuts in our passing game and he rarely back-cuts. … He doesn't give himself the ability to score easy baskets because he chooses not to move."

Granger has averaged 24.4 points on .495 shooting overall, .493 from the 3-point line in victories; those numbers have tumbled to 17.4 points, .359 overall and .222 from the arc in losses.

"Defensively we play well but offensively I don’t get as many shots," Granger said. "Sometimes we’ll go five or six possessions where I don’t touch the ball. Our offense is just not clicking right now. I’m not getting to the free throw line. I haven’t been through a stretch like this since my second or third year. We just have to figure it out."

Because the rest of the starting lineup is so young – the other four starters in Wednesday's loss to the Lakers (Darren Collison, Brandon Rush, Josh McRoberts and Roy Hibbert) have a combined eight seasons of NBA experience, O'Brien would also like to see Granger assert himself more as a leader.

"With that inexperienced unit," said O'Brien, "you expect the most veteran guy and your best player to be a leader."

That's a challenge Granger relishes.

"I'm ready for it," he said, "because with this team we have an opportunity to be better than we have the past few years."

Hibbert struggling against elite competition

Hibbert's biggest problem has been his competition. In the last three games he has been matched up against the Lakers' Pau Gasol, the Bulls' Carlos Boozer and the Hawks' Al Horford. Those three combined for 66 points and 42 rebounds, while Hibbert produced 24 points and 17 boards.

"The good thing is Roy's a young player and he'll learn from playing against all those All-Stars," said O'Brien. " … When you're dealing with (Milwaukee's Andrew) Bogut, a No. 1 pick, and three All-Stars, there's a chance you might get dominated. That's happened and we'll grow as a result of it."

Hibbert entered the month as the leading candidate for the NBA's Most Improved Player award. But as opponents have adjusted their defenses to him, he needs to adapt and adjust.

"Right now, I just look at myself and figure out what I am doing wrong, figure out how to be a defensive presence like I was at the beginning of the season," said Hibbert. "I don't know what happened. I've got to do some soul-searching."