Wonderful victory.  Just minutes ago, the final buzzer sounded on the Indiana Pacers' 102-89 victory over the Nowitzki and Butler-less Dallas Mavericks.

A very good effort, much better than their win over the 76ers just the day before.  Even without those Butler and Nowitzki, the Mavs are still a dangerous team, and the Pacers have been walking on thin ice lately with some of their performances, and it was unclear which team would show up on the night.

Fortunately, the guys buckled down and led most of the second half en route to a well-earned win, moving the team up to 16-20 and getting them their first winning streak since they beat LA and Sacramento back to back in late November.

With players backing up from the night before, Jim O'Brien gave minutes to rookie Paul George, and it paid off.  George scored a career high 16 points in 19 minutes, including four 3 pointers.  Granger and Collison each had 17 while Brandon Rush led all scorers with 20.  O'Brien played 11 players tonight, and each and every one of them had a role, with only Solomon Jones scoreless for the game.

I hope I don't jinx them, but the Pacers look like they might be getting on track here after a tough December.  I doubt they'll get back to their giant slaying ways earlier in the season, but if they can keep this level up they'll be in a good spot.

Next up, another home game on Friday night, this time against the Joakim Noah-less Chicago Bulls.  Derrick Rose will be a handful, but this is one the Pacers can win as long as they continue to hit their shots.  Earlier in the season they went to Chicago and let the Bulls get out to a massive lead early.  They can't let that happen again if they want to win.

Go Pacers!

Phew.  That was a close one. 

The Indiana Pacers finally found their long lost shooting stroke and defeated the Philadelphia 76ers, 111-103, snapping a 9 game road losing streak and 3 game losing streak overall to improve to 15-20 for the season.  As a team they shot 51.1%, including 50% from downtown.  They led by as much as 16 in the third quarter but choked away the lead as the 76ers came storming back and actually taking the lead into the fourth.  Fortunately, the Pacers nailed a few big shots and free throws in the last minute or two to escape with a tough win.

Danny Granger led all scorers with 27 points on 10-17 shooting, but most impressive for me was Darren Collison, who racked up 21 points, 13 assists and 3 steals.  This was the Collison I wanted to see -- aggressive, freeing himself for open shots in the lane, running the pick and roll, and finding open teammates.  He had been handcuffed somewhat in O'Brien's system, but hopefully this is a sign of more things to come.  Of course, the fact that he played 37 minutes might have had something to do with it.  TJ Ford has been solid, but Collison really should be playing 35 minutes a night.

Hansbrough was good again in another start, putting up 12 points and 9 rebounds, but Paul George only got 4 minutes.  I want to see more of him.

Hibbert struggled for 8 points and 8 rebounds in 24 minutes, but he hit a big shot down the stretch that put a little breathing room between the Pacers and the 76ers. 

This was a game the Pacers had to win.  They were losing confidence fast and sliding out of playoff contention.  As of now, they remain in 7th place (though way behind 6th place New York), but a couple of losses here and there and they could fall to 10th place.

Things don't get easier from here.  Two HUGE home games against Dallas and Chicago, the first coming immediately.  The Pacers need to at least get one of those.  Dallas is potentially vulnerable because Nowitzki might be out with a knee injury and Caron Butler is out for the season, but they are still a very dangerous and well coached team (by former Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle, I might add).  Pacers will have to step up their game at both ends to have a chance.  And then the Bulls, a team that embarrassed the Pacers in Chicago a few weeks ago -- they'll be without Noah but who can contain Derrick Rose?

Come on Pacers!  The team has not even won more than two games in a row ALL SEASON.  Time for a winning streak!

This season is starting to look like every other season under Jim O'Brien for the Indiana Pacers.  The defense is better this year but the offense is nowhere to be found.

The Pacers had a 15 point lead late in the third quarter against the San Antonio Spurs yesterday and threw away the game down the stretch, losing 90-87 despite a 23 point, 12 rebound performance from Tyler Hansbrough in his first start of the season.

Today, they flew to Atlanta and faced the Hawks who had already handled them easily twice this season.  Game three was no different.  The Hawks broke open the game in the third and routed the Pacers 108-93.

For the now 14-20 Pacers, things are starting to look horrible after a promising start to the season.  Nothing is clicking now, especially on the offensive end.  The Pacers are 28th in the league in FG%.  Granger has struggled with his shot and Hibbert as well.  These two guys are where all the problems start, but guys like Rush and Collison are also not getting the job done.

I like the fact that Hansbrough is finally playing and starting -- he should help with his energy; and I also want to see more of rookie Paul George.

Next up is the Philadelphia 76ers, and I see this as a must win for the Pacers to get themselves back on track, though with the way they have been playing lately it might not be an easy game.  After that they've got Dallas and Chicago at home, before a four-game West coast road trip.  If they keep losing it could get ugly.

They need to find that rhythm and confidence they had at the start of the season, and they need to do it fast.

Not much to say.  Close game all night.  Amare Stoudemire takes over the down stretch.  Knicks win 98-92.  Pacers are now 14-18 and have lost their 9th straight on the road.  Percentage wise, they are on track for a 36-46 finish.  Will Danny Granger be able to step up and be the big time player and leader we want him to be?  Or will the Pacers continue to splutter?

And if you thought December was rough, January might be even tougher.

Pacers next play San Antonio at home (the team that beat them in the opener) and then face Atlanta on the road. And before the month is over they will play Dallas, Chicago (twice), Orlando, Denver and Portland.

Time to step up Pacers!
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I expected the Indiana Pacers to win both games against the Washington Wizards, but it wasn't to be.  The team was horrible in the first one in Washington, where they lost 104-90 in an awful performance where no one could hit anything.  Both Granger and Hibbert continued their struggles while Dunleavy led the way with 20 ponts.

The second game in Indiana was much better, with the Pacers winning 95-86 in a game they led by as much as 20.  A much better adjustment this game.  Granger took the ball to the hole on every opportunity and it led to 18 points on 8-12 shooting, despite him being saddled with fouls most of the night.

Darren Collison too was terrific tonight, being aggressive and finishing with 18 points, 6 assists and 4 rebounds.  Hibbert finally broke out of his slump, scoring 17 points and grabbing 8 rebounds on 6-13 shooting, but he did have 7 turnovers.

The big revelation tonight was rookie Paul George, who only played 2 minutes of garbage time in the first game, but tonight had a marvellous 13 points in 18 minutes, plus 7 rebounds, 5 steals, and one huge windmill dunk.  With his length, athleticism and surprisingly good ball handling skills, I have no idea why he doesn't play at least 15-20 minutes a night.  It's better than rolling the dice with James Posey shooting threes all day.

With the win, the Pacers improve to 14-17, which is where they will finish for 2010.  Given the rough December schedule, I was hoping they would be 15-16, but they just couldn't get that win in Washington.

I'll do a post assessing how the Pacers have played thus far shortly.

There are some positives and negatives, but on the whole I think we can all agree that the Pacers are exceeding expectations thus far, though they're not as good as we what we thought they were after victories over Miami and LA on the road.

More to come.