"im O'Brien had a plan.

Now he's going to a backup plan.

The Indiana Pacers coach wanted to use a 10-man rotation to keep fresh legs on the court while playing at a fast pace.

The pace won't change, but Mike Dunleavy's setback and rookie Tyler Hansbrough's ongoing shin problem likely will shrink the rotation.

"We still have the ability to go 10 deep, but I don't know if we are there yet," O'Brien said. "If we were opening the season tonight, I don't know if I would go with a 10-man rotation."

Dunleavy isn't expected to practice until next month. There is no timetable on Hansbrough.

Danny Granger, T.J. Ford, Brandon Rush, Troy Murphy, Roy Hibbert, Solomon Jones, Earl Watson, Jeff Foster and Dahntay Jones are expected to be in the rotation. Luther Head likely will be given the opportunity to be the fourth wing player.

O'Brien would like to see another player or two prove they deserve playing time.

"I'm not going to force the issue," O'Brien said. "Without (Dunleavy and Hansbrough), if eight deep is the way to go, I'll go eight deep. If it's nine, I'll go nine. If people earn the right to be in the 10-man rotation, we'll go with 10. I prefer a high number.""