The Indiana Pacers ended their longest losing streak in two years on Friday by defeating the Dallas Mavericks by a final score of 95-94.

``I think we were just playing with a high energy level, playing with a sense of urgency,'' said Anthony Johnson, who hit all seven of his field-goal attempts, including three 3-pointers. ``We lost six in a row, and it was time for us to step up and show what we are made of.''

``It's a challenge for us every single night,'' Jermaine O'Neal said. ``We're short-handed every single night (because of the Detroit brawl-related suspension of Ron Artest), and I think people seem to forget that."