"Indiana Pacers coach Jim O'Brien usually hops up from his coaching position -- kneeling with one knee on a towel -- midway through the first quarter of games.

He walks toward the bench and instructs either Mike Dunleavy, Earl Watson or Jeff Foster to check in.

Those three players, along with rookie Tyler Hansbrough and Luther Head, make up the Pacers' second unit. It's that unit that has given the team a jolt in each of the past three games.

"Usually the bench on some teams just steadies the pace or gives a decline in production. Ours takes it to another level," starter Dahntay Jones said. "It's a well-balanced bench. We've got Mike, Earl Watson and big Tyler. They change the tempo of the game."

The second unit has contributed 136 points, 55 rebounds and 34 assists in the past three games. The Pacers won two.

"We have a mix of veteran and energy guys," O'Brien said. "They seem to understand their role and give us a big boost."

The Pacers play the Orlando Magic tonight."