THIS WEEK IN THE NBA
Despite being last in the Central Division, the Indiana Pacers still think they can make a playoff run. The schedule is in their favor, as tonight's game against Charlotte is the second of a stretch in which they play six of seven at home. "It's an uphill battle just because of the hole we dug ourselves," said guard Mike Dunleavy. "Certainly it's within sight. I get the feeling that everyone in this locker room feels it's very much within reason. But it's going to take some effort." The Pacers play 23 of their final 40 games at home. San Antonio will play 11 of its next 12 on the road, including this week at Los Angeles (Lakers), Utah and Phoenix. The Lakers open a six-game trip Friday in Minnesota, while Philadelphia opens a seven-game home stand Friday against Washington. The Cleveland and Orlando, both division leaders, meet Thursday in Orlando. GAME OF THE WEEK
When the Lakers take the floor against the Spurs today at the Staples Center, they will remember the game-winning three-pointer that San Antonio's Roger Mason made in the closing seconds that defeated them, 112-111, on Jan. 14. "We definitely owe them one," said Lakers center Andrew Bynum.
Bucks WEEK
The January pattern of playing on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday finally grinds to a halt. The Bucks will play three games against teams with losing records - Minnesota at home, and then Indiana and Toronto on the road - before a rematch with Atlanta on Saturday night at the Bradley Center.
QUOTABLE
"I'm tired of this in-and-out stuff. And I'm not talking about the burgers." - Houston coach Rick Adelman, saying that when the injured Tracy McGrady and Ron Artest are 100%, he will put them back in the lineup.
PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Halfway through the fourth quarter of the Lakers' game against the Clippers at the Staples Center, fans began yelling at coach Phil Jackson to put center Andrew Bynum back in the game so he could get the first 40-point game of his career. Jackson played along, Bynum went back in and he reached 40 with a two-handed breakaway dunk that brought the house down. He finished with 42 points and 15 rebounds. "I really didn't know how many points I had until I got back to the bench and everyone on my team was cheering '40,' " said Bynum. "I had no idea why they were going crazy." Bynum followed up with 23 points and 14 rebounds in a victory over Washington, giving him a nine-game stretch in which he averaged 20.4 points on 61.2% shooting and 7.1 rebounds. "We can beat teams in a myriad of ways," said Kobe Bryant. "We can beat them with Pau (Gasol) having big nights, myself, Drew, Lamar (Odom) is capable of having big nights. Teams have a decision to make for where they're going to apply pressure."
NUMBERS GAME
* In 34 victories, Bynum has averaged 14.5 points and 8.6 rebounds, and in eight defeats he has averaged 9.9 points and 5.4 rebounds.
* The Bobcats used 21 players in their first 42 games, three more than any other team used.
* The 15 players on Charlotte's opening-night roster had a combined 48 seasons of NBA experience, while the 14 players on the current roster share 65 seasons of experience.
* The Spurs are 8-2 in games decided by three points or fewer, which is a league-high number of victories in such games.
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