So, some of the last few games, including tonight's game, were supposed to be the easier games of this recent stretch.  Now that the Indiana Pacers have lost 5 straight, they play the Toronto Raptors and then the New York Knicks (twice), Boston Celtics, Chicago Bulls, and the Memphis Grizzlies.  Danny Granger, Roy Hibbert, Darren Collison and company better find their grooves real quick as next week's schedule will destroy any bit of confidence and will provide the Milwaukee Bucks and Charlotte Bobcats the perfect opportunity to win a couple and take the 8th seed.

The Pacers have shown they can beat/play with the top teams and handle the lesser teams, but they have also shown if their confidence and swagger are not there they can lose to anyone.  The Pacers need this game to build upon for next week's games.

After the jump, check out the links of the day...

• PACERS: Countdown to Tipoff: Pacers at Raptors
• Pacers-Raptors Preview - March 10, 2011 - NBA - CBSSports.com
  As poorly as the Indiana Pacers have been playing, they're still in control of their playoff destiny.
• Metro - Friday's Raptors preview
• Bird: Players, not Vogel, to blame for Pacers' woes
  TORONTO -- Indiana Pacers president Larry Bird is not blaming his team's problems during the past three weeks on Frank Vogel.
• Injury woes means Raptors can't practise properly – again
  It might not be February any more, but Thursday morning must have felt quite a bit like Groundhog Day for Raptors head coach Jay Triano.
• DeRozan's Jumper Evolution - RealGM Basketball Blog