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Granger helping Pacers overcome lack of defense

Jan 9, 2009 - 11:46 AM Indiana (13-22) at LA Lakers (28-6) 10:30 p.m. EST

LOS ANGELES (Ticker) -- The Indiana Pacers have struggled on defense all season. Danny Granger is doing his best to help them overcome those flaws.

Granger and the Pacers go for their fourth win in five games when they visit the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday.

Indiana has allowed at least 103 points in each of its last eight contests and ranks 28th in the NBA, surrendering an average of 105.8 points.

The Pacers' defense was shredded again on Wednesday, but another tremendous performance by Granger helped the team escape with a victory.

The 25-year-old forward scored at least 35 points for the third straight game, pouring in 37, including the final five of the game, to lead Indiana to a 113-110 triumph over the Phoenix Suns.

The Pacers led throughout until faced with a 110-108 deficit after a 3-pointer by Leandro Barbosa gave the Suns the lead with 45 seconds left.

Granger tied the game with a tough 19-footer over Grant Hill and, after Jason Richardson missed a jumper and a timeout by Indiana, Granger buried a 3-pointer from the top of the key over Steve Nash as time expired.

The Pacers will need more of the same from Granger against the Lakers, who rank first in the NBA, averaging 107.2 points per game, and are coming off their seventh win in eight games.

Pau Gasol scored 13 of his 33 points in the fourth quarter and pulled down 18 rebounds as Los Angeles claimed a 114-106 victory over the Warriors on Wednesday.