While Pacers coach Isiah Thomas did not plan on playing guard Ron Mercer on MVP chance Jason Kidd, but his team?s hopes of surviving in this opening series against the New Jersey Nets might rest on it.

"I can see us doing that again," Pacers coach Isiah Thomas said on Sunday, referring to his Game 3 switch at point guard.

Mercer is four inches taller than usual point guard Jamaal Tinsley, and the Pacers game plan is to try to make the All-Star guard shoot over the defender.  Ron Artest has also spent some time on Kidd, who thus far has been virtually unstoppable, scoring and passing almost at will.

"He's hurt us every game," Mercer said of Kidd. "He's shorter and quicker. I try to use my height as an advantage and try to challenge the shots he takes, to make sure he shoots over a bigger guy.