INDIANAPOLIS - Ron Artest’s request to be traded has hurt the Indiana Pacers, but injuries have done more damage.

Only Jermaine O’Neal and Stephen Jackson have started all 20 games for the Pacers (12-8). O’Neal, Jackson, Fred Jones and rookie Sarunas Jasikevicius are the only team members to have played in every game. Indiana has used 10 starting lineups, including a different starting five in each of the last six games.

“It’s tough to get a good chemistry for us, offense or defense,” O’Neal said. “When you have so many guys out, you finally get one guy back, then you lose another guy. That’s just how it’s been for us.”

The injuries are starting to heal. Center Jeff Foster got his first start of the season Wednesday in an 85-71 loss to Boston. Starting point guard Jamaal Tinsley says he’ll play Friday against Utah. Austin Croshere, who missed the Boston game with a lower back contusion, also said he should play against Utah.

Injuries are a major concern for a team that started the season with NBA title aspirations. Jonathan Bender is undergoing knee rehabilitation and has played in only two games.

Artest had missed three games with a bruised right wrist before requesting the trade. The injuries have made a team loaded with talent work hard to get by.

“The record isn’t anywhere near where we want it to be, I’m not even going to lie to you,” O’Neal said. “We can have so many different excuses for it, but like I said, excuses are another tool for failure, because we have a lot of guys who can play.”

O’Neal said sometimes injuries can help reserves get familiar with the starters and make the subs more comfortable if they are needed later. But, he’d rather see a regular starting five.

“We’re just not in a great position right now to keep getting injuries. And sometimes late in the season, it does help you, but we’ve been through that story, and at some point, you just want to stay away from that.”

Tinsley declared himself 100 percent healthy after Thursday’s practice. He could provide stability for an offense that scored its season low against Boston.

“It’s going to help a lot because Jamaal is our best creator with the ball, and he’s one of the best creators in the game,” Indiana coach Rick Carlisle said. “A player like him really helps us.”

Though he is a capable scorer, Tinsley doesn’t think that will be the most important skill he brings.

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“We need to get to loose balls and not turn the ball over,” he said. “It’s not all about scoring, it’s about stopping people.”

O’Neal said Tinsley’s role is the same as before he got hurt. He averages 9.9 points, 5.5 assists and 1.2 steals. Last season, he averaged a career-high 15.4 points per game.

“With Jamaal, we just want him to do what he does,” O’Neal said. “Score when he wants to score and distribute the ball when he wants to distribute.”

The Pacers started the week with the stunning news that the Pacers would try to grant Artest’s request to be traded and followed that with a 14-point road loss. With the difficult week, the Pacers are excited to get back on their home floor.

“I think the crowd has been very friendly to our team,” O’Neal said. “They’ve been disappointed with the early situations, but it’s been so many different situations and they’ve been understanding of that.”

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