MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- The Indiana Pacers, just 12-18 away from home, flew south Wednesday to continue a stretch in which they will play seven of eight games on the road.

So why was coach Isiah Thomas smiling?

 




"If you can defend and you can rebound, then no matter what gym you play in, you've got a chance to win games," he said.

The Pacers (30-30) defended and rebounded with tenacity in winning the past two against Sacramento and Orlando.

Indiana has challenged shooters, cut off passing lanes and defended 3-point shots with an aggressiveness that evokes comparisons to Thomas' Detroit Pistons teams of the 1980s.