Granger no stranger to big shots

Jermaine O’Neal and Jamaal Tinsley are back for the Pacers, but Granger has been solid with the chances head coach Rick Carlisle has given him.

Granger is posting just 7.6 points and 5.0 rebounds in 63 games this season, but is averaging 12.9 points and 6.7 rebounds over the last seven.

In Friday’s close loss to the mighty Pistons, Detroit center Ben Wallace blocked Granger’s potential game-tying three at the buzzer. The swat led to a 75-72 Detroit triumph.

One might assume Stephen Jackson or Peja Stojakovic would have taken the shot.

Granger may be a rookie, but ranked second in the Mountain West Conference in scoring (18.8), third in rebounding (8.9), second in steals (2.1), second in blocks (2.0) and third in three-point field goal percentage (.433) as a senior at New Mexico.

Meanwhile, O’Neal had eight points and seven rebounds in 16 minutes on Friday against the Pistons in just his second game back from a torn groin muscle which caused him to miss two months.

The Pacers will conclude a three-game homestand Sunday afternoon when they welcome the Philadelphia 76ers to Conseco Fieldhouse.

Indiana, seeded sixth in the Eastern Conference playoff race, is 3-5 in its last eight home games and 21-13 at Conseco Fieldhouse this season.