The Pacers have little time to worry about blowing another double-digit lead -- their third in the last six games -- because they've got to deal with stopping the Western Conference's version of the three-headed monster.
The Pacers, who blew a 13-point lead in their loss at Dallas on Tuesday, have the challenge of trying to defend Houston's Ron Artest, Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming -- although McGrady is slowed by a sore left knee. The Pacers will use Danny Granger and Marquis Daniels on Artest and McGrady. Where they're expected to really have problems is attempting to throw enough bodies on Yao. Rasho Nesterovic, Jeff Foster, Troy Murphy and rookie Roy Hibbert are all expected to get the opportunity to defend the Rockets' All-Star center.
The Pacers, who are in the midst of playing 10 of 13 games on the road, have dropped five of their last six games to go to three games under .500.
MAVERICKS 109, PACERS 106: The Pacers had no answer for Mavericks guard Jason Terry in the final 12 minutes of the game. Terry, the Mavericks' sixth man, scored 16 of his 29 points in the fourth quarter to help Dallas overcome a 13-point deficit to beat the Pacers. Indiana, which has lost five of its last six games, was led by Danny Granger's 22 points. Troy Murphy chipped in 21 points and 14 rebounds.
