The team that was once 12-5 is "slipping," to quote the Player of the Month from November, who not coincidentally is slipping himself.
What to do about these slides is not to be answered easily, or probably quickly, but someone will have to come up with answers at some point if the Pacers are to maintain their winning record and inside lane in the playoff race.
Friday's 118-104 loss to Washington was perhaps the worst defeat of the season, a homecourt loss to a team with a losing record, and just two nights after letting one get away in the final anguished minutes in Boston.