If NBA games were only 36 minutes long, then the Indiana Pacers would be one of the best teams in the league.  Unfortunately for the Pacers, and my "fanhood", the games are 48 minutes long, including the dreaded fourth quarter.

Let me give you an example of what I'm talking about:

• Games Played:  13
• Games led at Halftime:  9
• Games led at the end of the third quarter:  8 (plus two ties)
• Games outscored in the fourth quarter:  7 (lost all seven games)
• Road record:  1-5 (Led at the half in four games, lost three)
• Home record:  4-3 (Led at the half in five games, lost three)

There you can see a bit of what I am talking about.  If the Pacers could have held the lead just in the games that they led at the end of the third quarter, then they could be 8-5 instead of 5-8. 

I can't really pinpoint one loss that stands out more than another, because they have all hurt the same.  There is the loss to Philly, in which Indiana led for the first 45 minutes of the game (by as many as 26 points) and then lost it.  OR, how about the game against Orlando in which the Magic outscored the Pacers by seven points in the fourth to take the game into OT, where Orlando sealed the two point win.  Also, the Cleveland game in which LeBron took over late in the game and then they forgot about Anderson Varejao, who scored 18 points.  There are many early season miscues that have led to the current three game losing streak, but to keep dropping games in the fourth quarter is ridiculous. 

I can't put my finger on just one problem, because there seems to be a few:

• The team gets too relaxed and doesn't go for the win
• The offense becomes stagnant and nobody wants to take control
• The wrong person might try to take control at the wrong time
• People passing up quality shots in order to take a poor shot
• Getting beat on hustle plays

I still think this team will make the playoffs this season, but they have to tighten down and be a little more stingy with turning the ball over.  The season is old enough now to where the team shouldn't be giving up games in the end.  But, this isn't the first season they have done this now. 

We will see how things go tonight in Houston.  The game is on Fox Sports Midwest at 8:30pm. 

Happy Thanksgiving!