Kurt Rambis is sticking with the same starting lineup as the last two games -- Ridnour and Brewer in the backcourt, Beasley, Darko and Love up front -- tonight in Indianapolis.

He's hoping that, on the second night of back-to-back games for the first time this season, his starting five comes out stronger than Tuesday night's so-so start and that lousy start last week in Paris against the Knicks.

The starters probably will change Friday in Syracuse, if only for a night. I'd expect Rambis to put former Syracuse star Wesley Johnson in at shooting guard for his "homecoming."

There's no TV or radio coverage of tonight's game in the Twin Cities, so follow along with my regular Twitter updates @JerryZgoda.

Or stop back here for a few halftime and post-game observations.

HALFTIME UPDATE

Wolves 52, Pacers 47

And I have no idea how they're winning.

OK, well nine turnovers forced helps. They're playing pretty good defense, which has gotten them into the lead despite shooting 35.3 percent.

Beasley is 2 for 7, Love 3 for 7 (including a blown all alone layup/dunk when the ball slipped out of his hand) and the starters combined are shooting 12 for 29.

Danny Granger (13) and Darren Collison (11) are the only players in double figures so far.

POSTGAME UPDATE

Here's your final: Pacers 98, Wolves 86

So in one single evening, undefeated (the Wolves' 3-0 preseason start) and winless (Pacers' 0-3 start) both go poof.

The Wolves led by five at half and then wilted after intermission. They were outscored 25-13 in the third quarter and 51-34 after halftime in a performance Kurt Rambis partly attributed to the "fatigue factor" for a team playing its second game in two nights a week after returning from Europe.

Danny Granger had 30 points and 11 rebounds in a small-forward matchup with Michael Beasley, who scored nine and fouled out in just 20 minutes.

Got an early flight to Syracuse in the morning so I can get there in time for Jonny Flynn and Wes Johnson to meet the local meeting and discuss their return to the Carrier Dome.

More tomorrow.