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Granger, Pacers set to face Gasol, Grizzlies

Nov 3, 2007 - 1:37 PM Indiana (2-0) at Memphis (0-1) 8:00 pm EDT

MEMPHIS, Tennessee (Ticker) -- The Indiana Pacers have been the surprise of the NBA's opening week. They will try to keep their record spotless when they visit the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday.

The Pacers were picked by many to finish near the bottom of the Eastern Conference this season, but have picked up wins in each of their first two games this season. Indiana beat Washington, 119-110, on Wednesday and took down the Miami Heat with a 87-85 triumph on Friday.

New coach Jim O'Brien has gotten great performances from forward Danny Granger, who has posted 45 points in two games. Mike Dunleavy has added 40 points and 19 rebounds and Jamaal Tinsley handed out 19 assists in that span.

All-Star Jermaine O'Neal returned to action on Friday after missing the season opener with a hyperextended left knee, chipping in 10 points and nine rebounds in 24 minutes.

The Grizzlies, who finished with the worst record in the NBA last season (22-60), dropped their season opener, 104-101, to the defending champion San Antonio Spurs. Pau Gasol scored 22 in the loss.

Memphis upgraded its roster in the offseason, added Mike Conley Jr. with the fourth pick in last June's draft and added Spanish star Juan Carlos Navarro in a trade with Washington. The Grizzlies also picked up some help for Gasol along the front line, adding former No. 2 overall pick Darko Milicic.

Indiana won both meetings between the teams last season and are 19-4 all-time against Memphis.