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Pacers look to snap six-game losing streak

Mar 7, 2007 - 4:19 PM Indiana (29-30) at Utah (41-10) 9:00 pm EST

SALT LAKE CITY (Ticker) -- The Indiana Pacers look to avoid their first seven-game losing streak in three years Wednesday when they face the Utah Jazz.

The Pacers have not missed the playoffs since 1997. They are seventh in the Eastern Conference, one game behind Miami and 1 1/2 in front of Orlando.

However, the Pacers enter this contest looking to avoid matching their longest losing streak since November 28-December 11, 2004. Indiana also is looking to avoid a winless four-game road trip.

Mike Dunleavy Jr. scored a career-high 24 points and Jermaine O'Neal had 22 as the Pacers absorbed a 102-98 loss at Sacramento on Monday. The Kings played without controversial forward Ron Artest.

The Jazz may have bigger things on their mind than just the Northwest Division title.

Holding an 11-game lead over Denver in the Northwest, Utah is just 1 1/2 games behind San Antonio for third place in the Western Conference standings.

Mehmet Okur scored 32 points as the Jazz extended their winning streak to four games with a 120-95 pounding of Charlotte on Monday. Utah has won 11 of its last 13 games.

Utah, which has had two winning streaks of at least six games this season, is an impressive 23-7 at home.