After dominating a Western Conference contender, the Bobcats go for their sixth win in seven games Sunday night when they visit the Indiana Pacers.

Charlotte (18-25) hasn't finished with more than 33 wins or better than fourth place in the Southeast Division in any of its first four seasons of existence. Ending such futility didn't seem likely after the Bobcats lost seven straight games to fall to 7-18 on Dec. 15.

Since then, however, Charlotte has won 11 of 18, including five of its last six, to climb toward respectability. The Bobcats were especially effective Friday night, when they shot 51.3 percent and held Phoenix to a season-low point total in their 98-76 rout.

"We just played better," Brown said. "Our defense was about as good as we've played. We moved the ball better, until the fourth quarter we did not turn the ball over a lot and we had great shots.

"It was an unbelievably great game. I don't think we can play better."

Gerald Wallace had 28 points, eight rebounds, five assists and five steals Friday, and is one of five different players to lead the Bobcats in scoring in the team's last 11 games.

"We're 1,000 percent better," Brown said. "Our players are better. We have a lot of guys that have improved, especially Emeka (Okafor), certainly Raymond (Felton) and Gerald. ... We defend better, we rebound better, we pass the ball better, our shot selection is better. I don't think there is an area where we haven't dramatically improved."

Pacers coach Jim O'Brien wasn't quite as complimentary of his team after its last game, but Indiana (16-27) took advantage of an injury-riddled Houston team in its 107-102 victory Friday night.

"Great win, they're all great," said O'Brien, whose team shot 39.3 percent from the field - its lowest mark in a win this season. "We had a chance in the third quarter to put them away and didn't take advantage of it. (But) the main thing is we won the game. ... I thought we did the necessary things to win the game."

The Pacers improved to 4-0 at home this month despite another poor shooting performance from Danny Granger. The fourth-year forward, who ranks among the league's leading scorers with 26.1 points per game, was 5-for-19 Friday and is shooting 33.7 percent over his last five contests.

Granger hopes to rebound against a Bobcats team that's had some success against the Pacers in recent years. Charlotte has won four of the teams' last five meetings and three of its last four visits to Conseco Fieldhouse.

In the clubs' only previous matchup this season, Felton scored a career high-tying 31 points, including 11 in the fourth quarter and overtime, as Charlotte won 115-108 in Indianapolis.

Granger had 35 points with six 3-pointers and went 14-for-21 from the field in that game, while Pacers point guard T.J. Ford added 20 points, eight rebounds and six assists.