SACRAMENTO -- With his team holding a 13-point lead with barely more than 10 seconds left, Isiah Thomas still wasn't taking anything for granted.

"Hey! Don't take anything for granted!" he shouted to his players as they made their last defensive stand against Sacramento Sunday.

 




Given his team's mind-blowing collapse at Phoenix on Thursday, when it squandered a six-point lead in the final 29 seconds, Thomas' concern was understandable. But this lead held up as the Pacers closed strong for a 97-86 victory over the Kings that was equally improbable, notable and valuable.