Can the Pacers stop A.I., keep pace in East?

The Pacers, currently seeded fifth in the Eastern Conference playoff race, have lost five a row against Philadelphia, which is one-half game behind as the sixth seed.

If Indiana has any plans for a long postseason run, it must figure out Allen Iverson and the surging 76ers at the Wachovia Center.

Philadelphia is creeping up on the Atlantic Division-leading New Jersey Nets and has gone 5-1 since the All-Star break. Iverson is averaging 43.5 points and 11.0 assists over his last two games and had a game-high 29 points in a 111-109 win over the Pacers on November 5 this season.

Indiana, though, is hurting with Austin Croshere recovering from a concussion, while guard Jamaal Tinsley (elbow) and forward Jermaine O’Neal (groin) are still sidelined indefinitely.

However, Peja Stojakovic has been a bright spot for the squad.

Averaging 22.6 points over his last five games, Stojakovic scored 24 points for Indiana in a 99-98 loss to the Boston Celtics on Friday.

Indiana, which had a two-game winning streak come to an end, is 2-7 in its last nine road tilts and has an 11-17 mark as the guest this season. It is 2-1 on its current four-game road trip.

Philadelphia, meanwhile, will play the Pacers again at Conseco Fieldhouse on March 26. Indiana has lost two straight and three of five in Philly.