SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- "Togetherness." It's one of the most commonly used words with the Indiana Pacers this season.
Coach Frank Vogel puts it in quotations at the top of the dry-erase board before every game. The players mention it when talking about the team.
That's understandable considering where things stand.
Are the Pacers the most talented team on the court every game? No.
Have they lost games that have left fans scratching their heads? Yes, and it probably won't be the last time.
Are they likely to hover around .500 for the time being instead of taking off on a winning streak? Probably.
But despite their disappointing losses, an inability to hold double-digit leads and a road-heavy schedule so far, the Pacers have held it together so far this season, something that wasn't always the case in the past.
They have to, there's no other choice. Leading scorer Danny Granger (knee) isn't coming to the rescue next week or even next month.
The Pacers played together Tuesday when they won on the road against the Los Angeles Lakers.
"Positive chemistry and togetherness and confidence are things that are built throughout the season," Vogel said. "Those weren't always there early in the season. I talked to the guys after all those losses and reminded them to keep our frustrations in check, keep it all in perspective with the things we're dealing with."
The Pacers could have easily fallen apart already.
They blew double-digit, second-half leads in losses to San Antonio and Atlanta. They couldn't figure out a zone defense in Charlotte. They lost to a Toronto team that played a triple-overtime game the previous night.
"Obviously you have a little doubt that might have crept in there, but I thought we did a good job as a group to stay together," forward David West said. "We're going to continue to fight. We're getting contributions from a bunch of guys. We're going to need that to stay together."
West and George Hill have been the backbone of the team. The two veterans lead on the court, on the bench and inside the locker room.
The signature example of how close the Pacers are came two weeks ago in Milwaukee.
Down 20 with the outcome already determined, West cheered from the bench, urging the young players to continue playing hard instead of sulking over the loss.
When leaders lead, others follow.
"I think that's the competitive nature that myself and David have to keep everybody together and always think positive that things can get better," point guard George Hill said. "We know we're not the best that we can possibly be, but we know to continue to believe in each other and trust other."
Vogel showed that he can adjust when he acknowledged the offensive system wasn't working and changed it.
Now there's more movement and tempo, which has led to a jump in scoring average by seven points a game since the switch was made on Nov. 16.
The Pacers (7-8) have shown signs of improving, but it's too early to say they've officially turned the corner despite their victory over the Lakers.
The test will come tonight against the Sacramento Kings.
The Pacers beat the Lakers out West last season, too, only to lose to Sacramento on the same trip.
A victory tonight will not only make Tuesday's win over the Lakers more meaningful, it'll also even the Pacers record at 8-8.
"We understand we have enough talent in this room to compete," West said. "Again, we're gaining in terms of our confidence. We're getting more solid. We made mental errors earlier in games that we've been able to correct."