Pacers closeout homestand against Grizzlies

This is the first of two meetings between the clubs this season. Memphis is scheduled to host the Pacers on March 21, 2006 at FedExForum.

The Pacers have won two straight and four of the last five meetings in this series. The Grizzlies have lost all nine meetings at Indiana.

On Friday, Dirk Nowitzki scored 35 points and pulled down nine rebounds to help the Dallas Mavericks defeat the Grizzlies, 90-83, at FedExForum. Dallas outrebounded Memphis, 50-38, in the victory.

Mike Miller had 19 points and eight rebounds and Shane Battier chipped in with 17 points in the loss to Dallas for the Grizzlies, who had a six-game winning streak stopped.

Memphis is 7-3 on the road this season. The Grizzlies have won three in a row as the visitor.

Indiana plays the finale of a three-game homestand. Stephen Jackson scored 30 points to lead the Pacers over the Washington Wizards, 111-87, on Thursday at Conseco Fieldhouse.

All-Star Jermaine O’Neal finished with 25 points and 10 rebounds in the win over Washington for the Pacers, who ended a two-game slide and won for the second time in their last five outings. O’Neal and Jackson combined to shoot 25-of-36 from the field for Indiana, which shot a blistering 59 percent from the floor for the game.

On the injury front, Indiana forward Ron Artest (wrist) and guard Jamaal Tinsley (groin) are doubtful for tonight’s game. Artest did not play against the Wizards, while Tinsley has missed the last three contests.

The Pacers, who fell to Dallas, 84-75, on Tuesday in the opener of the current stand, are 6-3 at home this season.