Why Indiana Pacers Are a Sleeper Team You Must Know About

The Indiana Pacers are in the midst of a season-worst losing streak that's seen them drop three in a row and four of their past five games.

That could even get worse when they play host to the Miami Heat tonight.

But despite the recent struggles of the Pacers, they should still be considered the sleeper team to watch in the NBA.

First of all, let's take a look at their 17-10 record so far this season. This Indiana team has shown that they can have as much success on the road as they've had at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.

The Pacers are three games over the .500 mark on the road at 10-7, to go along with a 7-3 mark at home. Only the Chicago Bulls have played more games away from home then the Pacers have so they will have a couple of nice home stretches upcoming soon.

After the game tonight with the Heat, the Pacers face a six-game stretch against all under .500 teams, which should get the Pacers well above the .500 mark once again.

Indiana currently sits only 4.5 games behind the Bulls for the Central Division lead, but one thing is for sure and that's the Pacers won't be going away anytime soon.

Looking at their style of play for head coach Frank Vogel, the Pacers will be in almost every game they play because they rebound and play defense.

They only allow 92.4 points per game (ninth in NBA) and they pull down 43.8 boards per night (fifth).

With a solid frontcourt that features All-Star Roy Hibbert, Danny Granger, David West, Tyler Hansbrough and others, the rebounding will be there for the Pacers on a nightly basis.

Indiana's bought into the team concept and without a true superstar, they've remained competitive.

The Darren Collison and Paul George backcourt has been pretty good and the Pacers are a deep enough team overall to cause some problems down the stretch.

They could use another scorer down the stretch, but even if Larry Bird can't add one, keep your eye on this Pacers team to wreck some havoc in the Eastern Conference.