Open Game Thread: Pacers vs. Wizards

The Pacers return home after an excruciating loss to take on the combustible Washington Wizards on Wednesday night. The Wizards aren't exactly rolling either having lost three in a row. But, the Wizards have fallen victim to late game heroics as opposed to just plain being victimized like the Pacers. Here's Bruno's preview.

Ten losses in a row, unreal. The funny thing is that the Pacers STILL haven't fallen out of the playoffs, were they to start today. Larry Joe Legend isn't discouraged by the players considering the circumstances. More telling is the fact he didn't give the same vote of confidence to Carlisle.

"The one thing about it is, they're still tied together and they are working hard," Bird said before the team's 10th straight loss, 86-81 to Minnesota on Tuesday night. "They're disappointed and they hate it more than anyone, but if they continue to work hard, things will change."

While Bird was willing to talk about the players, he shied away from discussing coach Rick Carlisle's performance. Carlisle was given a contract extension and the added title of executive vice president of basketball operations last fall.

"Right now is not a good time to talk about it," Bird said. "He's a heck of a coach. It's just we've had a run of bad luck."

With Jeff Foster possibly joining Jermaine O'Neal and Marquis Daniels on the bench tonight, don't get your hopes up for a losing streak-ending effort.

For the Wizards perspective on the game, go check out Bullets Forever.