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Ron Artest still finding his way in Lakers’ offense

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Defensively, Ron Artest did his job Wednesday night against the Indiana Pacers.

Offensively, Artest continued to struggle.

But because the Lakers defeated the Indiana Pacers at Conseco Fieldhouse with relative ease, Artest didn’t have to provide much offense.

Artest had just two points, tying his season low. It was the fourth time in his last five games that he has scored in single digits.

He was one for six from the field against the Pacers.

“He obviously didn’t shoot the ball very well tonight,” Lakers Coach Phil Jackson said. “He has shot the three rather well for us.”

Jackson said Artest still is finding his way in the offense.

The triangle is not considered that difficult for wing players, but Artest seems to be stuck.

“He’s not growing as quickly as I’d like to see him grow and feeling like he knows what he can get accomplished out there in the offense and getting comfortable,” Jackson said. “Looks like everything he tries to do is kind of force the action instead of get into it. We still have to work a little bit with him to get him comfortable out there.”

Defense is where Artest has gotten the job done.

He was asked to defend Danny Granger.

Artest held Granger to 14 points on four-for-eight shooting.

“We knew Danny was capable of coming out for a big second half,” Artest said. “We were fortunate enough to have him in a little foul trouble early on.”

broderick.turner@latimes.com

twitter.com/BA_Turner

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