They know where they stand, and it's nothing to brag about. They're 17-18, still below sea level, and have yet to win more than two consecutive games. If the playoffs were to start tomorrow, they would be the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference.
The Pacers, though, can be forgiven for casting a brief glance at a silver lining or two in the wake of their 117-104 victory over Orlando at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on Sunday. Despite the "yeah, but" aspects of the game -- just their second victory in a row, coming against a losing team that afterward was disgusted with its defensive effort -- the elements of what will be required to move them toward the top of the logjam in the Eastern Conference standings were more noticeable than ever.