Pacers grateful to be home after spending most of March playing on the road

Life on the road isn't easy, but the Pacers tried to break up the monotony — 11 of their last 14 games away — with team dinners and memorable experiences.

The Pacers were only able to practice a few times at home in March.

There’s no place like home.

That has to be the feeling throughout the Pacers after having been on the road for most of March. Three big trips and most recently, a stretch with seven of eight games being played elsewhere. And only time for a couple practices as the team facility.

You would like for it to be spread out rather than piled up at the end of the season. That’s especially important when a new team, which lack continuity, is trying to come together.

Now they’re back after playing away from Gainbridge Fieldhouse for 11 of the past 14 games. And with just two weeks left in the NBA’s regular season, the Pacers are at home for five of the final seven games to conclude this season — including all three this week.

“This team’s gotten closer,” head coach Rick Carlisle said earlier this month.

“These guys care about each other, they like each other. They’re constantly working to connect better. Our young guys are more and more figuring out what it means to be accountable, to be professional, to have the responsibility to go into the game and play the right way. Play defense, help teammates get shots, those kinds of things. A lot of good things have been happening.”