IC Cold Links: Pacers Continue To Dance Around .500

Just the Pacers' luck.

On a night when their play was fit for the scrap heap but they continued to scrap and try to sneak home with a W, they run into a guy with a soccer pedigree and all of the confidence in the world that he can throw an overhead pass right on the money.

Luc Mbah a Moute caused the Pacers enough trouble when he did his part to force the ball out of Danny Granger's hands forcing the potential game winner to Roy Hibbert. But then to further impact the win for the Bucks, his sideline pass for the tap in winner would've made Messi, Ronaldo and Kaka blush had they tried to match it.

Sailing within inches of the rim, Mbah a Moute put the pass on a platter for Andrew Bogut to finish off and then admitted it was no big deal thanks to his experience playing soccer as a youth.

Throw in, man. Playing soccer, man... When I was younger... I used to just put it right on their head so they could head-butt it in. But I hadn't practice it in a while. But that helped me out a lot.

That's just great.

Seems like something has to give with the Pacers, doesn't it? They can't keep straddling the .500 mark all season, alternating through these ups and downs, consistently inconsistent, right?

With seven of their remaining eleven games in December at home, the time is now to shake of the shaky play and put together a string of solid games. It won't be easy with some tough teams among those 11, but this is the NBA. You should have to play well to win and when the Pacers play well they've shown they can win against any team. First chance to move things back in the right direction is on Friday night when the Charlotte Bobcats visit the Fieldhouse.

After the jump, a few links of interest with stories on the "Tip heard 'round...the Midwest corridor between Indy and Milwaukee."

Box score

PACERS: GAME REWIND: BUCKS 97, PACERS 95
Game Rewind has complete coverage of the Pacers' game in Milwaukee Wednesday, including video highlights, analysis, notes, quotes and stats.

Buzzer tip-in dooms Pacers in loss to Bucks | IndyStar.com
Jeff Rabjohns reports on Jeff Foster's 700th game ending with nothing to celebrate.

Bucks win on Bogut's buzzer-beating tip - JSOnline
Charles F. Gardner reports on the Bucks tip for the win.

Hoopdata Advanced Box Score - Indiana Pacers vs Milwaukee Bucks 12/8/2010

AP: Bogut tips in winner as Bucks beat Pacers 97-95

NBA: Pacers Lose Heartbreaker To Bucks On Bogut Tip-In - SB Nation Indiana

Bucks 97, Pacers 95: Bogut tips well in Milwaukee - Brew Hoop
Alex Boeder offers up the Milwaukee side of the story.

Wednesday game report: Pacers at Bucks - JSOnline
Just the facts, with Mbah a Moute named the Player of the Game for his defense and passing.

Andrew Bogut Tip-In Gives Pacers Gut-Wrenching Defeat
Jared Wade reacts to the ugliness in the Ill Mil.

Delfino's loss a big one, O'Brien says - JSOnline
JOB talks about injuries impacting the Bucks like they did the Pacers last season.

Hibbert's play noted | IndyStar.com
Jeff Rabjohns reports on Roy Hibbert's game and name popping up in MIP conversations.

Foster joins Pacers 700 club with Reggie, Rik, Vern

Hibbert has been looking forward since summer to facing Bogut
Hibbert wasn't embarrassed last night and certainly had his moments against, Bogut, but in the end the Aussie still got the better of 55.

Hansbrough, George biding their time
Bruno's latest Caught in the Web focuses on the end of the bench and two recent lottery picks working and waiting for their opportunity.

About Last Night: At The Buzzer
Pacers' were only one of four teams to suffere a buzzer beat down.

Billy Hunter, NBA players union won't budge on hard cap stance
The NBA players association does a round of media to push their side of the story in advance of further CBA negotiations with the owners.