Pacers' Defense Emerges In a Crisis

Last Friday, they gave up 73 points to Cleveland – in the first half.

The next night, they gave up 70 points to Orlando – in the first half.

But there they were on Monday, bodying up, covering for one another, contesting shots and generally playing in a frenzy while holding Charlotte to 18 points in the fourth quarter in a 105-96 victory.

Dr. Jekyl, meet Mr. Hyde. And tell him to D up, will you?

The Pacers have tended to go to extremes on defense this season, taking quarters and halves off now and then but getting down to business when a crisis strikes. And they have become familiar with crisis, coming back to win games from deficits of 19 points or more five times. It takes great defense to…