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Pacers look for rare back-to-back wins vs. Bulls

Jan 23, 2008 - 3:09 PM Indiana (19-23) at Chicago (16-24) 8:30 pm EST

CHICAGO (Ticker) -- The Indiana Pacers have had a hard time moving in a positive direction this month. Now they will have to do it without Jermaine O'Neal - again.

The Pacers shoot for back-to-back wins for the first time in over a month Wednesday when they visit the Chicago Bulls.

Trading wins and losses for the past six games, Indiana has not won two in a row since taking three straight from December 15-19.

That winning streak ended with an embarrassing 131-118 loss at lowly Minnesota and sparked a 5-11 mark over the last 16 games.

On Wednesday, the Pacers again will be without the services of O'Neal, who is having problems with his surgically repaired left knee and will miss at least two weeks - if not longer.

The loss of O'Neal will be nothing new for Indiana, which has played 53 games without the star forward over the last 2 1/2 seasons.

Also trading wins and losses, the Bulls are 2-3 over their last five games, including a 104-90 setback at Memphis on Monday.

Indiana won the first meeting of the season between the teams, 117-102, on December 12. Kareem Rush, who has totaled 47 points in the last two games, led the Pacers with 22 against Chicago.