Pacers gaining notoriety

INDIANAPOLIS -- Indiana's resurgence as one of the NBA's elite teams has drawn considerable attention, but not always for the right reasons.\nEverything from Indiana's physical play to bizarre antics has earned the Pacers a reputation as one of the league's toughest -- and most combustible -- teams.\n"We're just stepping onto the national stage," coach Isiah Thomas said.\nThe Pacers' act so far has been smashing, both on and off the court.\nIndiana starts the second half of the season at 34-15, tied with New Jersey atop the Eastern Conference. Only the 1997-98 Pacers had a better record at the break at 34-13.\nThat team reached the Eastern Conference finals. This year's squad would like to repeat that performance.\n"Once we get everyone back to full strength, we'll make a go at this Eastern Conference," said Miller, in his 16th season. "I think it's wide open and there are a handful of teams that can challenge for it. We're one of them."\nOnly if they have a full and focused roster.\nWhen Cleveland visits Indiana on Tuesday, forward Ron Artest and Thomas will return from league suspensions, and reserve Jonathan Bender is likely to be activated from the injured list.\nInjuries, suspensions and off-court problems have overshadowed Indiana's turnaround after two mediocre seasons.\nArtest has brought the most notoriety.\nHe was suspended for seven games in January: Three games for hurling a television monitor and smashing a television camera, and four games for confronting the Miami Heat bench and brushing up against coach Pat Riley during a victory Jan. 27, then making an obscene gesture toward the Miami crowd.\nThomas was suspended for two games for escalating an on-court altercation and not acting as a peacemaker during a fight with the Toronto Raptors.\nMiller has missed 12 games and O'Neal four games with injures. The only Indiana player who hasn't missed a game is Al Harrington, who was recovering from a torn ACL.\nThe Pacers are hoping the distractions won't be their downfall.