The Pacers may think the first four games of the season were easy once they conclude the toughest part of their schedule in about two weeks. The Pacers will face teams expected to make the playoffs in seven of their next eight games. Five of those games are on the road where they're just 2-6 this season.
The Pacers play Boston twice, the Lakers, Orlando, Cleveland, Toronto and Detroit. Indiana has already lost to Orlando, Cleveland and Detroit this season. The Pacers did blow Boston out on Nov 1.
The most winnable game on paper for the Pacers comes Friday when they host the 4-10 Charlotte Bobcats at Conseco Fieldhouse. Even that game isn't a guarantee because the Bobcats were 3-1 last season against Indiana. Charlotte's athleticism has routinely given the Pacers problems in the past.
The Bobcats, however, have struggled this season under first-year head coach Larry Brown. It wouldn't be surprising if Brown has his team ready to play since he's a former Pacers coach. However, Brown is former coach to a lot of teams in the NBA.
PACERS 91, ROCKETS 90: Forward Danny Granger made up for a woeful shooting night by coming through when it mattered most. Granger's put-back on his own miss with 13.7 seconds remaining helped the Pacers come from 13 points down to end their three-game losing streak. Granger finished with 16 points on 6-of-20 shooting. Forward Troy Murphy tied his season high in points for the second straight game when he had 21 points and 14 rebounds.
