Granger's return isn't imminent

It appears Indiana Pacers swingman Danny Granger won't be back to help his struggling teammates for another couple of weeks, according to coach Jim O'Brien.O'Brien said Granger's torn right plantar fascia will keep him sidelined at least two more weeks.

"I think Danny, he went up and down a little bit today. I still think he's two, 2 1/2 weeks away," O'Brien said before Tuesday's game against the Orlando Magic. "I haven't been told an exact time, but that's my understanding."

The team said Granger would miss between four and six weeks shortly after he injured his foot against the Los Angeles Clippers on Dec. 5.

Granger said last week that he thought he'd be back before the six-week mark.

Other Pacers frontcourt players could return Friday against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

O'Brien said Tyler Hansbrough (inner ear infection), Jeff Foster (back) and Troy Murphy (ankle) could play against the Timberwolves.

"Tyler tried to go up and down (Tuesday) but was too dizzy," O'Brien said. "He had to sit down as soon as he tried to run at all."

Foster has missed the past nine games with a sore lower back. He hopes to practice today.

Head feeling comfortable

Pacers guard Luther Head prefers to let his play do his talking.

If his recent performances are any indication, Head is speaking loud and clear.

Head, who has started the past four games, is averaging 17.8 points in the past seven games.

"I feel fortunate, appreciative," Head said. "I like it, especially since where I've come from, almost being out (of the league) to now playing. It just feels good. I'm going to take advantage of every second."

A bounce-back game

It was anybody's guess how the Pacers would respond following their 43-point thumping at New York on Sunday.

They not only had to try to forget about that game, they had to get ready to face the Magic, one of the best teams in the league.

The Pacers passed the test.

"Most teams would come out after getting beat like that, they'd have a letdown again at least the first five minutes or half the game, but we came out and had energy. We believe in each other," point guard Earl Watson said. "We believe in our team and we knew that the Knick game was tough.

"Not only did they play well, we came off a back-to-back. We didn't feel like we didn't have the energy."

Etc.

O'Brien used his 13th starting lineup in 24 games. ..... The Pacers attempted more free throws than their opponent for just the 11th time this season. ..... Tuesday ended a streak of seven games of allowing at least 100 points for the Pacers.