Channing Frye

The Suns defeated the Pacers 113-105 on Saturday night in a game that was marred by a third quarter incident.

With 46.7 seconds remaining in the period, Indiana’s Earl Watson appeared to push Channing Frye.

Danny Granger then took a swipe at Frye, who swung back.

The Pacers’ Roy Hibbert and the Suns’ Jason Richardson joined in, and both were hit with technicals, along with Granger. Frye was assessed two technical fouls, an automatic ejection.

Real GM

Travis Diener

On Monday, the Indiana Pacers waived guard Travis Diener, who has been unhealthy most of the season. He played just four games, registering statistics too small to be worth posting.

But despite his lack of productivity, according to a report from Yahoo, the Portland Trail Blazers will sign Diener when he clears waiver.

The 6-1, 175-pound Diener has an NBA career average of 4.9 points and 2.5 assists per game, playing for the Pacers and Orlando Magic.

Inside Hoops

D.J. Augustin

A trade between the Indiana Pacers and Charlotte Bobcats that would have sent D.J. Augustin and others to Charlotte for T.J. Ford and Brandon Rush fell apart yesterday, according to sources.

The other players that Indiana would have included are Gerald Henderson and Nazr Mohammed. The talks supposedly went all the way to the hour before the trade deadline before falling apart.

The Bobcats are apparently starting to make plans for this summer when the team will probably lose starting point guard Raymond Felton to free agency. Ford would have been the guy filling that void if the trade had occurred.

Yahoo Sports

Richard Hamilton

The Cavs have intensified trade talks over the past several days and have been making some progress, according to sources that spoke to Brian Windhorst of the Plain Dealer.

Several sources have said Cleveland has included the Houston Rockets and Detroit Pistons in their conversations, possibly in an attempt to set up three-team deals.

The Cavs’ major targets are still believed to be forwards Antawn Jamison and Troy Murphy. But they have been having some conversations about shooting guards and the talks with the Pistons could involve Richard Hamilton.

Real GM

Troy Murphy

Sources close to the Pacers say there is significant interest from Sacramento in Troy Murphy.

The Kings are pursuing a straight up deal centered around the expiring contract of Kenny Thomas ($8.5 million).

Indiana would surely push to include at least one of the Kings prospects such as Donte Greene.

Real GM

Troy Murphy

If the Cavaliers are going to acquire forward Troy Murphy from the Pacers they are likely going to have to part with J.J. Hickson.

Sources told the Cleveland Plain Dealer that the two teams have made headway in talks, but Indiana insists on getting Hickson in return. The Cavaliers are also reluctant to offer a first-round pick in any deadline deal.

The Pacers, according to another source, are also in talks with the Bucks and Kings regarding Murphy.

Real GM

Al Jefferson

Timberwolves general manager David Kahn recently offered Al Jefferson to the Pacers for forward Danny Granger, league sources told Yahoo! Sports.

Indiana president Larry Bird is still determined to build about Granger, but the belief is that Kahn is starting to doubt Jefferson’s ability to be a cornerstone.

Minnesota may also be dealing with issues between forward Jefferson and Kevin Love.

Real GM

Danny Granger

Pacers forward Danny Granger practiced with the team on Wednesday and Thursday without any pain.

Granger has missed the past month with an injured heel.

“I think I’m very, very close to playing,” he said. “It’s just a matter of everybody, the coaches and the training staff, all giving me the OK.”

Indiana coach Jim O’Brien said that Granger will not play Friday at Minnesota or Saturday at Oklahoma City.

Real GM

T.J. Ford

T.J. Ford’s contributions now are limited to competing hard in practice and supporting his Pacers teammates during the game because coach Jim O’Brien has no intention of playing him anytime soon.

Ford has not played in the past three games. O’Brien is starting veteran Earl Watson because he is “as strong of a leader” as the Pacers have.

Rookie A.J. Price is the backup. Price is effective at running the pick-and-roll.

The Pacers also want to determine whether he fits into their plans because Watson and Travis Diener are free agents at the end of the season.

FanNation

Roy Hibbert

Roy Hibbert has no problem displaying the lighter side of his personality off the court. However, he was all business against one of the NBA’s premier centers.

The 7-2 Hibbert had a career-high 26 points to lead the Indiana Pacers to a 97-90 victory over the visiting Orlando Magic and All-Star Dwight Howard last night.

Hibbert added eight rebounds, four blocks and three assists for the Pacers (11-23), who have won two of three after losing eight straight.

“He was on fire tonight,” said Howard, who played with foul trouble most of the night and finished with 11 points and 15 rebounds.

HoopsWorld