Dunleavy fits with Pacers

It seems Indiana Pacers forward Mike Dunleavy Jr. is becoming accustomed to his new surroundings.

Dunleavy, traded to the Pacers from the Golden State Warriors on Jan. 17, scored 20 points Sunday afternoon in a 94-80 victory over the Clippers.

He made nine of 12 shots from the field, including his two three-point attempts, had three steals and committed only two turnovers while playing a team-high 41 minutes. Dunleavy had 23 points and 11 rebounds in the Pacers’ previous game against Denver, giving him consecutive games with at least 20 points for the first time this season.

While Dunleavy was still with the Warriors, Coach Don Nelson often criticized the four-year veteran, but it appears things are going well for him here.

“I can shoot,” Dunleavy said. “I spent a lot of time in the gym the last couple of days and really worked on it. It’s paying off.”

Clippers Coach Mike Dunleavy said his eldest son looked comfortable.

“He’s not a player who’s going to force the issue or be overly aggressive,” the elder Dunleavy said. “He’s going to make plays. He can pass the ball, he can shoot the ball, he handles it.

“He plays every facet of the game. He’s going to do whatever he needs to do to help his team win. He’s won a championship at every level he ever played at.”

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Corey Maggette, inactive the previous two games because of flu-like symptoms, returned to score eight points, grab seven rebounds and commit five turnovers in 26 minutes.

Maggette chuckled when informed that many Clippers fans seem to believe the team had secretly suspended him for two games because of his recent criticisms of his coach.

“What? That’s crazy,” Maggette said. “I was sick.”

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Pacers forward Danny Granger suffered a neck injury in the third quarter. Granger, whose neck was immobilized, was taken off the court on a stretcher to a nearby hospital, but X-rays and tests were negative and Granger was released, according to a Pacers spokesman.... As expected, the Clippers signed guard Doug Christie to a second 10-day contract.

TONIGHT

at Detroit, 4:30 PST, Ch. 5 (5:30 delay)

Site -- The Palace of Auburn Hills.

Radio -- 710.

Records -- Clippers 25-26, Pistons 31-18.

Record vs. Pistons (2005-06) -- 0-2.

Update -- The Pistons are 9-3 since they signed free-agent center Chris Weber on Jan. 16.

jason.reid@latimes.com