All season long, the Pacers have been at their best when things look the worst. Put them in a deep hole, and they're almost certain to climb out of it and at least make a game of the game.
Maybe that's why they were so loose and upbeat at practice on Thursday. Facing the playoff series equivalent of a double-figure deficit, they gave no hints of a loss of confidence, spirit or hope heading into Friday's game against Cleveland at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.
Down 3-2 and facing elimination from the playoffs in front of their home fans, the Pacers will have to quickly forget the frustration of Wednesday's loss in Cleveland, when a missed goaltending call took two points from Victor Oladipo and LeBron James hit a 25-foot 3-pointer at the buzzer to overrule the Pacers' comeback from a 12-point deficit.