The struggles of the Indiana Pacers continued yesterday when the team lost its eighth straight road game and ninth of their last ten overall, Sekou Smith of the Indianapolis Star writes.  Even more damaging than their losing streak may be the fact that the Pacers may now play the final game of their West Coast swing without Ron Artest, who is likely to miss the team's clash with the Sacramento Kings after picking up his sixth flagarant foul point against the Blazers last night.  NBA rules stipulate that anything over five flagrant points will result in an automatic one game suspension.

Artest arm-whipped Blazers guard Bonzi Wells to the floor with 11:19 to play in the second quarter and was immediately whistled for a flagrant foul.  He didn't protest the call, immediately raising his hand in admittance.  If the league doesn't lower the status of the foul Artest will have no choice but to miss the Pacer's game against the Kings.

?I didn?t think it was a foul but I really can?t call it, it was too close to call,? Artest said of the move. ?But I know you can?t questions the refs.?

While Artest might not be questioning the refs, Jermaine O'Neal is questioning his team.

?I don?t know what to tell you, this is (expletive) disgusting,? O?Neal said, his teeth grinding the entire time. ?We?ve played hard all year, we?ve been the best all year at what we do and all of a sudden we can?t beat anybody? I don?t have any answers for you. We practice extremely well and then the game time comes and as players we don?t do our jobs.?

?It doesn?t really matter who we play,? said O?Neal when someone mentioned the Kings being the team's next opponent. ?It?s all about us. We?ve just absolutely stunk it up the last few weeks.?