With the NBA season one-third of the way done, the Indiana Pacers sit at 10-17 right now and at the bottom of the Central Division.  I want to take a look at the first 27 games and what could be different.

• Best games:  1)  Home opener against Boston.  Indiana controlled the tempo of the game, put Rajon Rondo on the bench early, and never let up.  Boston made a second half run, but Indiana dug deep and came away with an impressive victory.  2)  Buzzer beater against the Lakers.  Down by 16 points in the fourth, the team made a furious comeback and Troy Murphy's tip-in at the buzzer was one of the most exciting most of the season.  It was LA's first road loss of the season and only their second overall.  3)  Road win against Philly.  No Granger, Murphy, Daniels, or Dunleavy for this one.  Indiana lost a double OT game against the Clippers the night before, so their energy level should have been low.  They kept in the game, made a comeback, and TJ Ford knocked down a shot with 5 seconds left to win it 95-94.  Hard fought effort and rewarded with the win.
• Worst games:  1)  Philly comeback.  Indiana was up by 26 in this one and led the whole game until the final couple minutes, where they gave up the lead and the victory.  Very sickening.  2)  Sun burst!  Amare Stoudemire shot 17-21 from the floor and scored 1,000 points in a 10 point victory at Conseco Fieldhouse.  
• MVP:  Danny Granger.  Plain and simple, he has been the best player on the court this season and his scoring keep the Pacers in every game.  When he isn't on the floor, the offense turns stagnant and the wheels start to fall off the bus.  Should be an All-Star selection with his 24ppg average.
• Well HELLO Mr. Murphy:  Troy Murphy has turned into his old self.  He is turning into a double-double machine again with his averages of 11 points and 11 rebounds per game.  Among the leaders with 12 double-doubles in his 23 games played.  Had a string of 10 games with 10 or more rebounds.  Don't forget his 20-20 performance earlier this season against the Raptors! 
• All without Dunleavy:  Things could be worse, but they could be better as well.  Mike Dunleavy has yet to step on the court this season and it has hurt this team at times.  Without the teams second leading scorer from last season, there are times when the offense looks like it is in slow motion.  I'd expect the team to struggle a little when he comes back, trying to get the chemistry to work.  I'd also expect a push for the playoffs.
• Not what I had hoped for:  While 10-17 isn't the worst record in the league, I had hoped to be at 13-14 or even 16-11 as the best scenario.  With nine games turned into late losses, this team could be 19-8, in all reality.  It's funny to think or even to say, but it is true.  Go look at the game play-by-plays and you can read it for yourself.
• Looking forward:  At this point, the team has to just start winning some games.  Just focus on taking over one team in the Central at a time.  With only two games seperating Milwaukee and three behind Chicago, that could be a two week time period right there.  Indiana only sits five games behind Detroit for second place, so it is within reach.  I honestly still feel like this team is one of the better teams in the East, but they have to find ways to win late in the game and also win the games that they should win.