"Scoring has never been a problem for Indiana Pacers forward Danny Granger. He has shown over the years he is capable of producing 30-point outbursts against any opponent.

His defense, however, has been a different story.

Granger, who once took pride in trying to shut down the opponent's best perimeter player, had developed a reputation for being one-dimensional.

But two events in recent months helped change his approach. While playing for Team USA at the World Championships, Granger found himself on the bench due to his defensive play. He also had a conversation with Pacers coach Jim O'Brien about the importance of high-level defense.

"We told Dan that one of his goals should be to be on the first- or second-team All-Defense, and he's capable of doing that," O'Brien said. "He's tough-minded, he's got good hands, he's got good feet, he's got good length."

Granger chased Atlanta's Joe Johnson through countless screens to play a part in holding him to 11 points on 4-of-12 shooting earlier this week. Granger scored 22 points while shooting 50 percent (7-of-14) from the field in that game.

On Thursday, O'Brien switched Granger onto former North Central High School and Indiana University star Eric Gordon earlier than he planned after the Los Angeles Clippers guard scored 11 points in the first quarter against other defenders. Gordon made just 2-of-11 shots from the field in the final three quarters.

Granger will defend Vince Carter or Rashard Lewis, both former All-Stars, tonight against the Orlando Magic at Conseco Fieldhouse.

"Danny's really strapping it up and getting after it," center Roy Hibbert said. "He's playing great defense on the other team's top player. He's doing it without fouling, too.""