With Defensive Player of the Year Ron Artest sidelined by a league-imposed suspension, Sixth Man of the Year candidate Al Harrington will step into the starting lineup for the Pacers tonight in Game 2. Indiana is 7-2 this season without Artest in the lineup.

Harrington made a quick recovery from lower back spasms to record a double double (14 points, 10 rebounds) in Game 1 off the bench. Now the most pressing question does not regard his back (much better, thank you) but rather his ability to stop Paul Pierce.

"Obviously, I'm going to have to step up, play more minutes, and be a little bit more aggressive on the offensive end," said Harrington. "And I've got a tough assignment guarding PP. I think the whole team is ready. We've been here before, and everybody's got to step up. I already know [my role]. I've been through it all season. I started 14 games for various reasons. I know what I've got to do. [Coach Rick Carlisle] knows what he's going to get from me."