Notebook: Pacers trending up after success over the last month

Once appearing broken, the Pacers are back up to sixth in the East as their play is much improved. They're healthier — welcome back Andrew Nembhard! — defending, and now winning on the road.

The Pacers are in a MUCH better place because of the return of guard Andrew Nembhard.

The Pacers have been playing much better basketball over the last four weeks. It was just one month ago when I wondered if they were broken and in an awful spot after a string of bad performances, including a home loss … to the Hornets.

Since then, they’ve won nine of their last 12 games, including three in a row. And they successfully solved their road woes by winning eight of their last nine away games following a 2-11 start. They’ve played more road games (22) than any other team.

I hope everyone is staying safe and warm during this rare winter snowstorm. I covered a lot of ground in this newsletter.

Discussed in this story: Andrew Nembhard, Tyrese Haliburton, Bennedict Mathurin, Jarace Walker, Karen Atkeson, flight delays, James Johnson, Chris Denari, Lauren James, Johnny Furphy, Orlando Johnson.