Pacers seek seventh straight road win vs. red-hot Trail Blazers

Pacers seek seventh straight road win vs. red-hot Trail Blazers

The Indiana Pacers are vying to match the longest road winning streak in franchise history, but Portland isn't the ideal place to attempt this feat.Not just because the red-hot Trail Blazers have won

The Indiana Pacers are vying to match the longest road winning streak in franchise history, but Portland isn’t the ideal place to attempt this feat.Not just because the red-hot Trail Blazers have won four straight games and eight of nine entering Tuesday’s matchup, but also because the Pacers have lost in 14 of their past 15 visits to Portland.That lone victory during the span came on Jan. 14, 2021 when there were no fans in the stands due to the COVID-19 pandemic.So it could be a challenge for the Pacers to match the franchise record of seven straight road wins, set at the outset of the 2003-04 season when Reggie Miller’s stellar career was nearing the finish line in Indy. It was also during Rick Carlisle’s first stint as Indiana’s coach.The Pacers are only in position to match the mark due to a frantic comeback for a 112-111 road win over the Utah Jazz on Monday.”It’s one of the best wins of the year considering the circumstances and how we shot the ball,” Carlisle said afterward.Indiana trailed by 12 midway through the fourth quarter before going on a 14-1 spurt en route to overtaking the Jazz on a night the Pacers were outrebounded 60-37 and were just 10 of 42 from 3-point range.”This speaks to the maturity and growth of our group,” said Indiana star Tyrese Haliburton, “because the last couple years, we don’t make shots, we get blown out.”Pascal Siakam scored 10 of his 22 points in the final stanza, including a dunk with 5.1 seconds left to make it a two-possession game.And suddenly, the Pacers had an unlikely victory.”It was just hard to get to the hump throughout the game let alone get over the hump,” Carlisle said. “… If you’re watching the game as a Pacers fan you’re saying, ‘It’s not going to happen tonight.’ But our guys kept saying let’s hang around and give ourselves a chance.”Indiana has won four straight games and 12 of its last 14 as it again tries to solve its troubles in Portland. The Pacers haven’t won in front of Trail Blazers fans since Nov. 28, 2007.