ESPN NBA

INDIANAPOLIS (Ticker) -- The Indiana Pacers will attempt to pull themselves out of unfamiliar territory when they host the struggling New Orleans Hornets on Monday.

The Pacers, who have dropped 10 of their last 12 games, are one game under .500 for the first time since April 12, 2002 - a total of 190 games.

Indiana lost to the Detroit Pistons, 98-93, on Saturday in their first meeting since the brawl at Auburn Hills on November 19. Reggie Miller led the Pacers with 24 points.

Jermaine O'Neal scored 21 points on 7-of-19 shooting and matched a season high with five blocks in his return after an arbitrator reduced his suspension from 25 games to 15 last week for his role in the brawl.

New Orleans dropped its 12th straight road game, falling to the Cleveland Cavaliers, 100-91, on Sunday. The Hornets opened the second half with a 14-0 run and put together a 10-0 spurt to take a fourth-quarter lead before losing for the 16th time in 17 tries.

Lee Nailon led New Orleans with 18 points and Baron Davis added 14 in his second game since missing 18 games with a back injury.

The Hornets have not defeated an Eastern Conference opponent this season and are 27-38 against the Pacers, including a 9-24 mark in Indiana.