Jeff

Ayres

Vogel said that he would use a “more normal rotation,” confirming that Danny Granger (knee) would get one more game to rest up. This puts a damper on Darren Collison’s outlook after his disaster night, but we wouldn’t be surprised to see the duo split minutes a bit more evenly so Collison can try to get right. Leandro Barbosa, Tyler Hansbrough, and Jeff Pendergraph figure to play significant minutes with Granger out and Hibbert on a minute-count.

The Pacers are locked into the No. 3 seed and resting their starters. Jeff Pendergraph is starting at center Monday and owners still grinding can safely move on from Hibbert.

Pendergraph added two blocks and an assist. He might be worth a look in deeper leagues for Wednesday’s finale against the Bulls, as Hibbert has already been announced to be on a minute-limit for that contest. Fellow starters A.J. Price scored two points on 1-of-3 shooting with four rebounds and six assists in 17 minutes, and Dahntay Jones had six points on 2-of-7 shooting with three boards, two assists, and a three.

The Pacers didn’t add a backup big man before the trade deadline, leaving Lou Amundson and Pendergraph as the sole backups behind Roy Hibbert with Jeff Foster (back) remaining out indefinitely. “Jeff is a banger. He knows how to play,” Bird said. Neither Amundson nor Pendergraph are on the fantasy radar.

That sounds like more than a ‘tweak’ but he is coming off a torn ACL, so Indiana has every reason to be cautious. After adding him to their training camp roster it sounds like they’ll keep him through the season, as their third PF behind David West and Tyler Hansbrough.

This game was a blowout win for Indy and Pendergraph got some garbage time minutes.

Assuming that he can get in shape from a conditioning standpoint, Pendergraph might be in uniform as soon as Monday’s game in New Jersey. Even if he is ready to go next week, he is not worth a spot on your fantasy roster.

Pendergraph, who formerly played for the Trail Blazers, is returning from knee surgery. It is believed that he signed a two-year deal for the league minimum.

Pendergraph “tweaked” his surgically repaired right knee about a week before the start of the season. The Pacers will be very cautious in his return, but the club could certainly use his size for depth in the rotation. He’ll have his work cut out for him upon his return and will not have fantasy value.

He didn’t score and has no fantasy value, but is at least off the injury report for now.