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Pacers hope to stop slide vs. Grizzlies

Jan 2, 2008 - 2:04 PM Memphis (8-22) at Indiana (15-17) 7:00 pm EST

INDIANAPOLIS (Ticker) -- One of the more inconsistent teams in the NBA this season, the Indiana Pacers currently find themselves in a rut.

The Pacers will look to snap a four-game slide when they host the hapless Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday.

Indiana began the season with three wins, followed up with six straight losses, won 12 of 19 and have now lost four more to fall below .500. However, the last three games have come with the re-emergence of forward Jermaine O'Neal, who has led the club in scoring and rebounding in each contest.

Hurt or ineffective much of the season, O'Neal has been on the trading block since last season and may have increased his value while averaging 22.0 points and 10.0 rebounds over the past three games.

The Grizzlies have lost five straight and 12 of their last 14 games. Defense has been a major problem for Memphis, as it ranks next to last in the NBA allowing 105.5 points per game.

The Grizzlies' last five losses have come by an average of 18.2 points and they have failed to reach 100 points in their last six contests.

Mike Dunleavy Jr. collected 27 points and eight rebounds, leading the Pacers to a 121-111 win on November 3.