Indiana fought their way back from a 14-point first quarter deficit due in large part to the play of Ian Mahinmi.
It wasn't pretty, but in the NBA, it doesn't always have to be.
In what is shaping up to be an extremely close race for playoff seeding in an impressive Eastern Conference, the Indiana Pacers (21-15) made sure they played their best basketball down the stretch in a 91-86 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans (11-24) on Friday night.
With 5:18 left in the game, the Pacers found themselves down 82-80 after both teams traded baskets in between bouts of sloppy play to start the final quarter.