Pacers seek to gain ground on Pistons

The Pacers will play three games this week - all against teams with losing records. They will host Utah (8-12) on Friday sandwiched by games at Boston (8-12) on Wednesday and at New York (6-13) on Saturday.

In their last game on Saturday night, Jermaine O’Neal scored 20 points and grabbed 14 rebounds, as the Pacers cruised to a 80-66 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies at the Conseco Fieldhouse.

Stephen Jackson chipped in 16 points and Anthony Johnson added 13 points in place of the injured Jamaal Tinsley, who missed his fourth straight game with a groin injury. Tinsley (groin) is questionable for Wednesday’s game.

The game against Boston will be the first meeting of the season between the two clubs. Last year the Pacers took two of three from the Celtics.

Pacers forward Ron Artest missed his second straight game with a wrist injury. He has reportedly requested a trade. In an interview with the Indianapolis Star, the much-maligned Artest said he "has issues" with his role on the team and that the club would be better off without him. Artest is averaging 19.4 ppg.