The Pacers shouldn't think about being a playoff team until they learn how to hold onto a double-digit lead.

Indiana missed the playoffs last season because it wasn't mentally strong enough to withstand runs by the opponent when it had leads of at least 10 points. That looks to be the case again this season.

The Pacers have lost two games after having leads of at least 15 points. They followed up a blown 26-point lead against Philadelphia on Nov. 14 by squandering a 15-point first-half lead against the Miami Heat on Saturday.

"It seems every single game this year, except for maybe against Detroit, we've had a lead at some point, almost a double-digit lead," center Jeff Foster said.

With his team in a double-digit hole, Dwyane Wade hit a long 3-pointer at the end of the first half, then turned toward the Miami Heat bench and nodded. His message was clear: This game isn't over. And his teammates went out and proved him right. Wade shook off flu-like symptoms to score 38 points, and the Heat outscored Indiana by 21 after halftime to beat the Pacers 109-100 on Saturday night.

Twice, the Indiana Pacers challenged the NBA's leading shot blocker with the game on the line. Twice, they failed. Orlando center Dwight Howard swatted a potential game-winning shot at the end of regulation, then altered what would have been a game-tying shot in the closing seconds of overtime. He had 24 points, 17 rebounds and five blocks, and the Magic beat the Pacers 100-98 on Friday night.

Danny Granger isn't ready to consider himself an NBA star just yet. But the Indiana Pacers' fourth-year swingman is certainly playing like one. Granger scored 34 points, including 10 in the fourth quarter, and the Pacers beat the slumping Atlanta Hawks 113-96 on Tuesday night. "He's got that killer instinct for a scorer," said Indiana center Rasho Nesterovic, who added 21 points.

Derrick Rose showed another dimension to his already impressive game and led the Chicago Bulls to a victory just before they start a tough seven-game road trip. Besides his quick first step and fearless forays to the basket, Rose displayed his 3-point shot Saturday night while scoring 23 points and helping the Bulls beat the Indiana Pacers 104-91.

Philadelphia 76ers coach Maurice Cheeks gave his team a simple yet effective message after the first quarter against Indiana. His players responded Friday night, overcoming a 26-point deficit to beat the Pacers 94-92. "I told them to keep fighting," Cheeks said following a dismal first quarter, which ended with the Pacers ahead 38-13.

With a little more height and a bit of luck, T.J. Ford might have had back-to-back triple-doubles. His 6-foot frame left him a bit short on rebounds in both games, but he's fine with it because the Pacers won each time. Ford had 24 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds on Monday night to help Indiana beat the Oklahoma City Thunder 107-99.