MILWAUKEE — Travis Diener has a lot to be excited about these days.

He has emerged into a key player for the Indiana Pacers, he has job security and his team is in the playoff hunt.

But Friday night, the Fond du Lac native and Marquette alum was preoccupied with getting all of his friends and family tickets to the Pacers' game against the Bucks at the Bradley Center — that total was more than 60.

"It's the most difficult part of coming home," Diener said. "People come to support me, so it's the least I can do."

Diener always has had a following. It wasn't until a change of scenery last summer, however, that they could see him put on a show, much less play.

Before signing a three-year contract with Indiana during the offseason, Diener spent his first two seasons in the NBA on the bench for the Orlando Magic. A second-round selection (38th overall) in the 2005 draft, Diener appeared in street clothes more often than in uniform, playing in just 49 games.

This season has been a different story, especially after Pacers starting point Jamaal Tinsley injured his knee in late December. Since then, Diener has averaged 8.9 points and 4.8 assists in 39 games.

"It's nice to go out there and play and contribute to wins," said Diener, who had 11 points and five assists in Indiana's 105-101 win over Milwaukee Friday night. "I'm enjoying the game a lot more."

Diener and the Pacers
(32-44) again face the Bucks (26-49) at 5 p.m. today at Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

Soon after Tinsley went down, Diener was inserted into the starting lineup.

When he had a difficult time shooting — 36 percent over the 21 games — coach Jim O'Brien decided it best to have Diener come off the bench.

The move didn't bother Diener, and seemed to help the team because of his ability to provide the Pacers a shot of energy while the starters rested.

"When he's in, we play at a different tempo," O'Brien said. "To be able to bring someone off the bench who can pick up the pace of the game, I think that's important."

More importantly, O'Brien said, Diener spaces the floor well and makes good decisions, which keeps him on the court late in the fourth quarter.

Diener has a 4.25-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio, fourth-best in the NBA.

"He's been very productive for us running the team," Pacers forward Mike Dunleavy Jr. said. "He understands the game, and as a point guard, that's the first thing you can ask for."