The playoffs are still not out of the question for the Pacers, but they have to improve their defense if they expect to return to the postseason next month.
The Pacers have given up at least 102 points in 12 straight games. Giving up that many points is expected since they're an up and down team. The thing they can't do, however, is allow teams to shoot a high percentage. The Pacers allowed the Dallas Mavericks to shoot 58 percent in a 19-point loss on Friday.
The best thing the Pacers have in their favor down the stretch is that only three of their remaining 17 opponents have a winning record.
The Pacers are a combined 2-3 against Orlando, Saturday's opponent, New Orleans and Boston this season.
The Pacers' chances of making the playoffs will increase if Jermaine O'Neal (knee) and Jamaal Tinsley (knee) return from their injuries before the season ends.
MAVERICKS 116, PACERS 97: The blowout started in the first quarter and continued through the final horn Friday for the Pacers.
The Pacers allowed the Mavericks to shoot 61 percent in the first and 58 percent for the game. Indiana, which never led, trailed by 18 points in the first quarter and by as many as 23 points later in the game.
The Pacers didn't help themselves offensively by shooting 38 percent. Their starting backcourt of Travis Diener and Danny Granger went a combined 3-of-16 from the field.
Indiana's lone bright spot offensively was Flip Murray. Murray, who signed with the Pacers two weeks ago, came off the bench to score a game-high 22 points in 27 minutes.
