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Surprising Pacers look to stay hot, face Clippers

Nov 7, 2007 - 2:28 PM LA Clippers (3-0) at Indiana (3-0) 7:00 pm EST

INDIANAPOLIS (Ticker) -- A new coach has produced a new attitude for the Indiana Pacers.

Coach Jim O'Brien leads the surprising Pacers against the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday.

With O'Brien at the helm, Indiana has started 3-0 to reside in first place with the Detroit Pistons. O'Brien, coaching his third NBA team, looks to duplicate the success he had with the Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers.

A preseason favorite to finish near the bottom of the Eastern Conference, Indiana posted its third straight victory Saturday, a 121-111 triumph over the Memphis Grizzlies.

Mike Dunleavy scored 27 points and grabbed eight rebounds and Danny Granger, who captured Eastern Conference Player of the Week on Monday, scored 23 for Indiana, which is 3-0 for just the second time since 1995-96.

Los Angeles also has started quickly with three straight wins, including Tuesday's 97-91 victory over the Chicago Bulls.

Cuttino Mobley scored 33 points and Corey Maggette had 18 and 10 rebounds for the Clippers, who continue to thrive offensively without injured All-Star forward Elton Brand.

Maggette has picked up much of the slack in Brand's absence, averaging 20.3 points, 7.9 rebounds and 4.3 assists this season.

The Pacers have won 13 of their last 14 home games against Los Angeles. The Clippers' last win in Indianapolis was a 102-68 triumph on November 10, 2004.