The Indiana Pacers began the season strong, but that 8-4 record seems long ago. A 114-111 win at Cleveland on Wednesday ended a four-game skid and stopped a string of nine losses in 12 games.

Things don't get any easier for the Pacers, who host the Denver Nuggets on Thursday night. Denver has won three straight, including a blowout victory at Milwaukee on Tuesday night that put Nikola Jokic in rare company.

Indiana's slide has hasn't changed the attitude or approach of first-year coach Nate Bjorkgren. He has been patient and tough with his new team as it works through this rough patch.