Artest returns for Pacers

The Pacers, who lost Reggie Miller to retirement in the offseason, won 44 games last year and made it to the conference semifinals, where they were eliminated in six games by Detroit. However, their season will be most remembered for what happened on November 19 when an on-court altercation between Artest and Detroit’s Ben Wallace set off a fracas never seen before in pro sports.

Artest, the 2004 NBA Defensive Player of the Year, charged into the crowd after fans after getting hit with debris. Commissioner David Stern showed no mercy as he suspended Artest for the final 73 games of the season.

Stephen Jackson was also suspended for 30 games and All-Star Jermaine O’Neal sat out 15 for their involvement in the brawl. Jackson netted 18.7 points per contest and shot 36 percent from beyond the arc in the 51 games and O’Neal, who was hampered with a shoulder injury, posted 24.3 points and 8.8 rebounds in 44 contests during the regular season.

Losing Miller’s enthusiasm, leadership and clutch shooting, though, is going to hurt big time. The return of Artest will pay huge dividends and the Pacers are counting on it, as they are coming off a very quiet offseason.

Indiana did catch a break with the 17th overall pick, as New Mexico forward Danny Granger was available and the Pacers did not hesitate to select him. Granger is an athletic forward who will be able to log some time right away.

The club also lost veteran Dale Davis to free agency, as the center signed a contract with Detroit. Forward James Jones was dealt to Phoenix for a 2008 second- round draft pick in a sign-and-trade deal.

Indiana was 19-22 away from home last season.

For the Magic, new head coach Brian Hill has returned once again to try and guide the team to NBA glory. Hill has come back to the team that he led to three 50-plus win campaigns as well as an appearance in the 1995 NBA Finals.

Hill, who had been an assistant with the New Jersey Nets, replaced Chris Jent, who took over on an interim basis after Johnny Davis was relieved of his duties with 18 contests left in the 2004-05 season. The Magic finished 36-46 and missed the playoffs for the second consecutive year.

There are some pieces in place for Hill to work with. Dwight Howard, who turns 20 on December 8, had a solid rookie campaign as he averaged 12.0 points and 10.0 rebounds. He played all 82 regular-season games and showed improvement as the season progressed.

High-flying Steve Francis gives the Magic a dynamic presence in the backcourt. He led the club in scoring (21.3 ppg) and assists (7.0 apg) in 78 contests during his first year with Orlando. The three-time All-Star will spend a lot of time at shooting guard this season, as Jameer Nelson is ready to take over at point guard.

Grant Hill made a triumphant return in 2004-05. The 33-year-old forward registered 19.7 points, 4.7 boards and 3.3 assists in 67 contests. Prior to last season, he had played just 47 games because of serious problems with his left ankle since joining the Magic before the 2000-01 campaign.

However, he will be sidelined for the first 3-to-6 weeks of the season with a hernia injury.

Fran Vazquez was selected with the 11th overall pick in the 2005 draft. However, the Spaniard decided he was going to play in Europe during the upcoming season.

Orlando did sign free agent guard Keyon Dooling, who played 74 games for the Miami Heat last season and averaged 5.4 points and 1.8 assists. The 25-year- old Dooling adds athleticism and depth in the backcourt.

Orlando was 24-17 in its arena this season.

The Magic took three of four meetings from the Pacers last season, but could be at a disadvantage tonight, as the home team in this series has lost four of five and eight of the last 10 matchups. Indiana has also won five of its last seven in Orlando.