The Pacers threatened for just one shining moment on Sunday, when the reserves sliced Houston's 17-point lead at the end of the first quarter to five less than four minutes into the second period, forcing a timeout.
But that was that. The other 42 minutes of their 118-95 loss to Houston at Bankers Life Fieldhouse was as thoroughly as they've been dominated all season, and evidence of the deception of their 5-3 start. Clearly, they have a long way to go.
The Rockets can be a good role model. They're now 11-3, the best record in the Western Conference, and have won six consecutive games.