• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Dunleavy eyeing return to defenseless Pacers

Jan 7, 2009 - 11:36 AM Indiana (12-22) at Phoenix (19-12) 9:00 p.m. EST

PHOENIX (Ticker) -- Mike Dunleavy is set to make his season debut any day now. If the defense fails to improve, his return may not help the Indiana Pacers find the consistency they desperately need.

The Pacers look to avoid their second straight loss following back-to-back wins when they visit the scorching Phoenix Suns on Wednesday.

Dunleavy, who was Indiana's second-leading scorer last season with 19.1 points per game, has missed the first two months of 2008-09 with soreness in his right knee. The Pacers' offense has gotten along fine without the 28-year-old swingman, averaging 103.3 points - fifth in the NBA.

However, Indiana has lost five of its last seven games, allowing at least 103 points in each of those contests. The Pacers are 28th in the league, surrendering an average of 105.8 points.

Indiana's defense slipped to a new low on Monday, when the team dropped a 135-103 decision to the Denver Nuggets. It was the most points the Pacers allowed since a 141-140 double-overtime setback to the Dallas Mavericks on February 5, 2002.

The last time the club gave up that many points in regulation was January 4, 1992, when the Golden State Warriors posted a 140-121 victory.

The defense needs to step up if Indiana plans on ending a seven-game losing streak to Phoenix, which has won three straight contests and eight of its last 11.

Amare Stoudemire scored 23 points and Shaquille O'Neal added 17 as the Suns continued their winning ways with a 106-98 triumph over the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday.

Jason Richardson added 15 points and Steve Nash chipped in nine and 11 assists for Phoenix, which shot 55 percent (41-of-74) from the floor and 7-of-12 from 3-point range.